Slumdog Millionaire

Jamal Malik is about to become a millionaire because

a) He is lucky

b) He is a genius

c) He cheated

d) It is written

It's been a while since I have enjoyed a movie with such voracity that I feel I must write about it.  I wouldn't say this is going to be the most extraordinary film review, but it is basically how this movie has made me feel and how it has actually made me analyze the things that go on in my life. I saw this movie almost a month ago and I still think about it daily and how it has made me change my attitude towards some things.

But first let me give a little background on what the movie is about. If you've seen it, go ahead and skip forward.

Jamal Malik is an impoverished boy who comes from the Slums of Mumbai.  Our first glimpse of him is as a contestant on the India version of "Who Wants to be a Millinaire." (I spelled it like that on purpose for those who have seen it) Being that he is from the lowest rungs of India society, his success on the show is highly questionable and the host has him arrested for cheating.  While being tortured by the authorities to tell how he knew the answers, Jamal simply replies, "I knew all the answers." From this point, the movie continues with a series of flashbacks from Jamal's childhood that allowed him to know the answers to all the questions.  To us Westerners, the answers are obvious which makes us relate to the character.  Generally when a movie uses flashbacks to tell a story, it is confusing and almost trite.  Danny Boyle's sense of storytelling allows these flashbacks to move fluidly throughout the film.  

Many of you will recognize Danny Boyle's name, but I didn't when I saw the movie.  I did a search on IMDB and realized that I have seen many of his movies, which include such fare as Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, Millions, A Life Less Ordinary...and so forth! I've read reviews that point out similarities in his movies, but I think the one that I recognize or remember the most is the vivid use of colors and maybe the use of a "wandering camera."  Some scenes are similar to his other films, but to be able to point them all out would be futile. It would be safe to say that Boyle has no fear to dabble in a little bit of every genre. If anything he is a superb storyteller! I guess you could say that I really enjoyed all aspects of this movie, including the ending...I won't give it away for people who haven't seen it.

But what I like most about this movie is the underlying feeling of hope that you receive from it.  Jamal is a character that represents the unrelenting side to humans that strive and yearn for what they most desire.  He doesn't give up, and to get what he truly wants, he ends up on the Millinaire show.  He is persistent, he has unwavering faith that in the end he will succeed and receive.  He fights for what he wants and never gives up hope.  So many times, we as humans are faced with struggles and obstacles that make us want to give up.  But should we really do that if in our hearts we know what we want is obtainable?  A friend of mine often tells me, just let it go, it's over, move on.  But when you have that gut feeling, the instinct that giving up is not an option; I don't believe you should give it up.  Patience is key, and like my friend Agent J said, life has a way of working itself out.  Maybe you can't force things like Jamal had to resort to, but sometimes we just know deep inside that something should be a certain way.  

Act on instinct! Believe in your heart that what you most want is obtainable and within reach.  Don't give up, ever.  Always have hope because without it you will achieve nothing.

To end this I have my most favorite passage from the Bible and I use it because religion is an underlying theme in Slumdog Millionaire. Maybe not Christianity, but I believe that hope is a underlying message in all religions.  

"For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope." Jeremiah 29:11

Because it is written...