Nov 24, 2008 07:07 PM
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(Updated Nov 25, 2008 07:34 AM)
When a friend called up and suggested that we catch this movie, I was all for it. Sounds like an Italian Gangsta flick, doesn't it? His laugh at the end of the line was followed by a "You couldn't be more wrong, this will be better". And it was. Enough to make me write this at 2 in the morning. Directed by a UK director Danny Boyle, the movie fails to disappoint you on the cliched ideas of India that foreign film makers have, and use to an annoying degree to tell an even more annoying story. If this was made by an Indian director, I could not be more awed or impressed. The movie is an adaptation of a novel by Vikas Swarup.
The story line of the movie is centrally-based on the hit TV show Kaun Banega Crorepati aka " Who Wants to be a Millionaire". A show that was the heart-line of every Indian for three great seasons. The show provides a backdrop of the story, canvassing the life of Jamal Malik(Dev Patel). It traces his life from a kid whose mother is killed by anti-Muslim frantics(nicest name I can call these CENSORED WORD) to the current narration of him being interrogated by a policeman(Irrfan Khan) on the grounds of cheating on the show. His journey is marked by unusual circumstances even compared to the ruthless life that Mumbai slums can belt out. After the killing of their mother, Jamal and Salim(his brother) befriend Latika(Freida Pinto) and form a close-knit pack. They are soon picked by a a seemingly philanthropic figure who blinds kids to increase their "beggar" quotient for the streets. In an ingenuous fashion, the boys manage to escape the goon when Jamal's turn to lose his eyesight arrives. Unfortunaltely, Latika doesn't manage to escape.
The boys' travels take them to Agra. Some of the most amusing moments of the movie are shot here, as young Jamal expertly coys blighted American tourists, painting a colorful portrait of the Taj's history. Seems like Mumtaj died during childbirth and "on her way to the hospital" nevertheless, and the Taj was "built as a hotel whose rooms were still unfinished when the king died". Jamal forces Salim to return to Mumbai in order to find Latika. Latika is shown to be on the verge of entering prostitution, forced by the same goon. The story follows them saving Latika, only for Jamal to lose her again when Salim decides to "keep" her for himself. A few years later, Jamal is shown to work as a chaiwallia in a call center. Certain developments occur and he manages to meet Latika again. Latika meanwhile becomes a mistress to a local chawl don(Mahesh Manjrekar). He decides to try his luck at the show, hoping that she will be watching. Jamal does manage to go on-air the game show, which changes several lives in two days of time. Anil Kapoor does a splendid job as a cocky, full of himself game show host. He shows ample generosity in making fun of Jamal's "Call center chaiwala" background. But even Kapoor's slick performance fails to overshadow Dev's histrionics.
What makes this movie stand out? Each actor shines in their respective role. Irrfan as the police officer, Saurabh Shukla as the typical Mumbai constable, Mahesh Manjrekar as a local slum don, Anil Kapoor as the host of the show, the young kids in their roles as Jamal, Salim and Latika. But Dev Patel clearly blows my mind. He effortlessly portrays a wide spectrum of emotions: the first pangs of love, the sharp pains of betrayal by your own brother, disappointment in failing to change what fate has planned for you, courage in still pursuing the one person you love and eventually victory on being able to write your own destiny. I cringed when I saw children dive into piles of rubbish, clutched the arm rest of my chair when a kid's eyes were scooped out to prepare him for an effective beggar's life, almost cried when the once rapist Salim gives up his life to help Latika escape the don's lair and Dev manages to outwit Anil Kapoor at his own game.
The movie was a far cry from anything that could be labeled predictable or standard. An unusual story, crafted with unusual storytelling, and a compelling background score by Rahman. The background score has been chosen very well and fitted in the storyline in an effortless and effective manner. The movie theater in Maryland, US packed at 11 in the evening loved the movie as much as the Delhi multiplexes will. Being an Indian, one identifies with certain themes in the movie in a clearer manner. But eventually, the movie is a celebration: of struggles, pain, loss, life and love! Young, inspiring and heart wrenching love.
