Movie Review: Slumdog Millionaire

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Was there any doubt Slumdog Millionaire was going to sweep the Academy Awards? (Or, at least, come close to it?)

Slumdog Millionaire, the film that was nominated for 10 Oscars (winning eight of them - including Best Director and Best Picture) is about an orphan who grew up in the slums of Mumbai, India and used an American invention to tell a story. Jamal goes on the game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and, through a series of coincidences, is able to answer a lot of the questions and has a chance to win the entire game show.

The story takes place in reflection - looking back at Jamal's life - and because Jamal grew up in the slums, everyone from the game show assumes he is cheating. But he uses the answers to the questions to tell his story, which is about growing up in the slums, surviving a very dangerous subculture with his brother, the difficulty of relationships and, of course, the object of his affection (a girl named Latika).

I absolutely loved this movie. It takes you to this journey to the heart of the city of Mumbai and you see things you wish you hadn't seen. It tells a story that is so haunting, beautiful, redeeming and inspiring all at the same time. And you are taken to a place that looks upon you for who you are, rather than the conditions that determine who you are.

It just touches the core of you. The acting was spirited; the kids in the movie were unbelievable. The story was well done and well crafted and the cinematography was very precise in its movement.

It was just an absolutely breathtaking movie and it was well worthy of its eight Academy awards. It was definitely my pick this year.