Eye-rollingly formulaic. This one wins the "Pan's Labyrinth" critically overrated film of the year award. Today's filmmakers have no clue how to tell a compelling story. Just another style over substance fluff-job.

Horndog Bazillionaire!

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This film starts in the slums of Mumbai where life for city's underclass is an unending struggle. Life is cheap, childhood ends early and exploitation is everywhere. It's dark, depressing, realistic. But things get better for our protagonists. Social realism is abandoned in favour of the drama / thriller (there's even a few nods to bollywood). There is a love story. This feels like a made-for-TV movie. As entertainment it fails miserably, and so it should. The reality of the slums casts a shadow over the whole movie. It's not uplifting, it just feels tawdry.… Expand

Slumdog millionaire does suffer from some silly dialogue, but the film is beautifully filmed, mighty, wondrous, romantic and just fantastically acted. It deserves its Oscar. I give this film 87%.

Luis, just out of curiosity, what are your favorite pics of the year? Instead of being a pretentious blowhard fuck and basically maligning every film that is getting any award buzz, enlighten us with your superior taste in movies. This is a great film. Definitely not perfect, but what is?

One of the best films of the year, along with "WALLY" and "Dark Knight." Like the others, "Slumdog Millionaire is as deep as it is entertaining. It also has the distinction of being one of the few great films in recent years that is genuinely uplifting; Boyle seems to have a thing for disturbing beginnings and tragic middles followed by surprisingly happy endings. This approach is risky in that it opens up a film to accusations of implausibility and/or crowd pleasing. However, "Millionaire" succeeds where "Trainspotting" (another great, albeit flawed film in his impressive portfolio) fails in that the ending is, or rather, feels plausible, even if a closer inspection reveals an inherent lack of plausibility. However, a typically tragic ending would run counter to "Millionaire's" main point. Although the film paints a vivid picture of India with thoughtful commentary on the caste system, local religious conflict and Western society's complete lack of understanding of other cultures, at its core "Slumdog Millionaire" is concerned with the timeless themes of choice and conscience. It is plausible because it acknowledges the reality that most individuals will choose to act in their self-interest the majority of the time. On rare occasions, however, mankind's better instincts will prevail (see the film and you will know specifically what I am referring to.)… Expand

With so much happening on screen, you won’t notice the limited emotional range of his actors, hidden behind the frenzied editing and vividly saturated colours of the cinematography. However, after a while, “frenzied” becomes “exhausting”, “vividy saturated” becomes “garish” and the weaknesses of Simon Beaufoy’s (The Full Monty) uneven screenplay become glaringly obvious.

what a tale... but it's not a great picture, a bit above average at best. yes, the setting is dramatic, yes, story holds some clever twists, but if you go expecting an epic, it falls quite flat. first 60 minutes were kinda borning, then the next 20, okay, then flat again. a fairly packed theater laughed about 4 times, was tense for about 3 and didn't clap at the end. It is written... it's worth about 3 Oscars, not 10.… Expand

coming 4m mumbai i see this everyday.. n it still shocked me .. brutally real , heartwrenching . " SCARY"... .. aggrieved national sentiment ( cz d real india is much much more than slums . n despair ).... bt it delivers hope , triumph of love albeit in a typically melodramatic bollywood way .... it still managed to make me stand up and applaud... p.s: rahman with his score is awesome

This is a overrated and unnecessarily hyped movie. I have heard lots of music so far but could not what is special in the music of the film that it got nominamted for best music, backgroung music....Most of the time the backgroung music of "Kaun banega Crorepati" has been palyed, some other time a film song "Aaj ki raaat". I believe there are far better music we already have heard in bollywood movies, even that is by A R Rahman. Lots of other points are there which have already been discussed in this forum, I will not go for those again, but I personally not satishfied with movie. I tried a lot to like the movie but I can not.… Expand

This may be the worst movie ever made. I take that back. "From Beyond" is the worst. This one is second. Not one of the reviews I've read even mentioned the aspect of the persecution of the Muslims in a Hindu country. Where is the moral indignation at India for this racist behavior? The reviewers all mention the vibrant colors of the slums. That makes it the best film of the year? Why should we be visually assaulted watching a movie? Crap.This movie is crap.… Expand

Not impressed. Nowhere near the hype. Didn't even deserve to get nominated for anything. The dork and the girl barely even know each other...and that's what they built this steaming pile of overrated on? Also, if I never hear a damn Indian song again it will be too soon.

How can anyone hate this movie?-oh wait a minute, I know why, they're busy watching Meet the Spartans and Disaster Movie. This is a unique film. I've never seen anything like it, and every moment I spent watching left me speechless. Beautiful movie. Best of the Year? Nah, I still say The Dark Knight is the best, but it is tide second best with The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

i was looking forward to seeing this because everyone i know enjoyed it, but i thought it was boring, drab, and over-rated. Needs to recolor some of the subtitles, white text on a yellow background (i believe it was a car) is damn near impossible to read. The story was nice, i like the concept, just didn;t do it for me as a film.

i liked it but can't stand those stupid idian kdis, they are annoying and are all little shits. I hate indian people especially when they speak english that accent they have is the worst. I wish i could meet those little kids so i caould punch them in the face, Indian people shoud not be allowed to live, who's with me lets wipe them off the face of the earth. At school there are 234234234234 of them, and they ask the dumbest questions, DIE INDIANS PLEASE DO US A FAVOR.… Expand

this is the movie which deserve two awards to sy the least.THE MOST OVERRATED MOVIE & THE BEST FEEL-GOOD MOVIE TO THE WEST.all the director does at his best is that to portray India as a big slum.all the shady characters are Indians and the occassional foriegn tourists are the only messiahs.very cool indeed.I think it is well hatched plot by the academy to give awards to two indians who worked with the film so that they can be sure it will grab the attention of India.Rahman has given to Indians sweeter melodies than jai ho to the Indians.Its a very poor attempt to showcase the poverty of India so that the westerners can feel good about themselves.same can be said abt the Booker Prize given to Aravind Adiga.Pure, unadultrated crap.… Expand

A real crowd pleaser with bigger issues on its mind. It is a gritty fairy tale or, if you prefer, a shaggy dog story that owes a lot to Dickens. Sure, it is filled with stereotypes but the take on them is so fresh you won't mind a bit. You won't have a better time at the movies this year.

I just got back from a screening of Slumdog Millionaire, and I'm crazed with critical hyperbole. You should definitely see it, but, unlike every other review I've read, I have some issues: To paraphrase, and update, an old Rodney Dangerfield joke, look up "deus ex machina" in an online dictionary, and you'll find a link to "Slumdog Millionaire". It's a thrilling fast-paced hipster version of Forrest Gump,but it's still Forrest Gump, with an Indian accent( dot, not feather.) Not one of its hero's successes are hard fought or earned; they come from insanely implausible coincedence. It's deliriously goofy, and compelling, but those critics comparing it to Dickens because of a little Faginesque behavior ought to re-examine the careful way old Chaz constructs his plot contrivances. And the fact that Water, a much more heartbreaking India-based film, got slammed for artifice a year ago just goes to show how a good PR campaign can still spin wonders. All that said, it stands a great shot at a Best Screenplay and Best Picture nomination; it's Rocky directed by a guy with the street cred of Quentin Tarantino.It could be this year's giant success, unless some journalist debunks the entire "based on a true story" concept.… Expand

One of the most overrated films of the year in addition to The wrestler, Rachel getting married,the visitor,che or Frost/Nixon. Slumdog millonaire is a bad film and a bored bored bored film.

Exhilarating, and astonishing. I loved it from beginning to end. What a way to tell a story!

Boyle's modern take on a classic fairy tale is an exhilarating and incredibly fulfilling experience.

Not best picture worthy. Mainly because of the highly commercial deus ex machina ending. By the halfway mark, the film starts getting progressively worse. It tries to become this romance film but does so with very little momentum. Dev Patel is inconsistent while Frieda Pinta doesn't quite make it. Don't get me wrong, I did love it. The first half of the film is perfect. I was beaming the entire time with enjoyment - it was exciting, it was scary, it was funny. It was pure Dickens. By the time Jamal becomes a teenager, it begins to fall apart. Boyle's direction is tight and the editing/cinematography is immaculate. All in all though, its a good film that needs more of a audience because it is incredibly original. Good message about destiny and the tragedy of the caste system. Just wished I felt more for Latika at the end of the film.… Expand

This is the thinking-man's feel-good movie.

Quite possibly the best film of the decade - surely of the year. It's a winner in every sense of the word!

There are flaws but still I can say along with WALL - E, it's my favorite film of the year. It is a FABLE, so if you expect everything in the movie to follow logic, you will be disappointed. If you like to dream or even daydream, it's terrific.

The best movie experience all year. Easily rates a 10. Danny Boyle does his best work to date especially interweaving flashback sequences with events going on in the present tense. Definite Oscar consideration for Best Picture. Finally, Luis your "0" vote does not count because I can tell you haven't seen the movie at all including all the other small Arthouse movies listed on your hate list.… Expand

A Masterpiece. Highly original. Don't listen to anybody else. Go see it for yourself. The best film of 2008. Really. I mean, what else is there? The Dutchess? Happy Go Lucky?

One of the most entertaining movies I have seen in a long time. Easily a top 10 for 2008 and will definitely garner awards at years end. Danny Boyle finally gets his due.

I'm not an easy critic. You could ask anyone I know But once in a while I see a movie so gorgeous and amazing, it deserves nothing less than a perfect score. So far this year, there have been three years to obtain perfection in my eyes: Slumdog Millionaire, The Dark Knight, and WALL-E. The story is utter beauty; dramati, unique, and occasionally funny. I's a classic story that will be watched over and over again for decades. Although tied with The Dark Knight for my favorite movie of the year, I can say that it is without a doubt, the frontrunner for Best Picture at these Academy Awards. Bravo to Dany Boyle for creating this masterpiece.… Expand

Why is it that all the reviewers seem to be male? I have recommended this movie to 3 female friends of mine, who all saw it, and they thought it was "sweet & well done" but maybe a 7 or 8 stars out of 10. However, each one of my male friends thought it was one f the best movies this year. The last movie I saw in the realm of Slumdog was "Roberto Benigni's Life is Beautiful". I have a love for Bollywood film and music, but this is not a Bollywood film. This does have some similarities in the appearance(Film Grain), humor, music, and closing credits. NOTE: 1st 3rd of this film is in Hindi with subtitles. The best subtitling I've ever seen. Very fluid!… Expand

An amazing film, true to the circumstances that millions grow up in and the wishes and dreams that sustain them. Incredible music and incredible cinemtography. Truly beautiful.

This is an incredibly entertaining film. I see a review in here putting it down because it is "Forrest Gump". That would be the "Forrest Gump" that won 6 Oscars including Best Picture. Is there an opposite to "damning with faint praise" - perhaps "exalting with faint criticism".

Great movie! The beginning is definitely better than the end, mostly because of the younger actors doing an incredible job. The ending is a bit cheesy, but overall very enjoyable movie.

It was one of the best movies I have seen, but there should have been a warning, regarding the violence. There were gasps in the audience. Many people covered there eyes.

This is a wonderful movie. The narrative is involving and interesting. The interrogation model used to forward the story by dealing with each of the questions he answered correctly was clever. The acting is first rate. I even liked the Bollywood song and dance at the end, which is ironic because I don't much like most Bollywood style films. Other than the very end, this is not a Bollywood film. It is a passionate love story, a tale of honor, dishonor and redemption. One of the best films I've seen this year, or in recent years. Wonderful.… Expand

Masterpiece. The flavor of my favorite novel "Shantaram", great score, plot, love story & such memorable images!

The best movie I have seen in quite some time. It has everything and sucks you in and keeps you riveted for the full 2 hours - And Bollywood at it's finest in the closing credits to boot! Hello Best Picture!

The best film I have seen in a long time. I would give it best picture at the Oscars

One of the better movies I've seen in the last few years; it amazes me that people can write movies like this, truly a great story that has it all - action, romance, drama, etc.

I am speechless.

Superb!

A wonderful movie that is also wonderfully entertaining. Highly recommended to all.

As riveting a movie as you will ever find. Keeps your attention for the full 2 hours. Reminds me of Pvt Ryan in that once you see it you will never forget it. Kudos for such a wonderful suspenseful movie. Masterpiece worthy of all the accolades.

A perfect score as you will not believe your very own eyes. It grabs you a few minutes in and never lets go. The one guarantee is that after seeing this film no one will include India on your places to visit. If you are claustrophobic don't see this film.

I gave it a 10 only because I can't go any higher. Excellent movie! It's so good I saw it 2x already and don't mind seeing it again (and again!).

28 Days Later was a 10, Millions was a 10.5, Sunshine was an 11 and now Slumdog Millionaire, a perfect 12! Danny Boyle is the new Kubrick, without the 10 year intervals between masterpieces. I am awestruck by the brilliance of this mans work!

Just good, nothing spectacular. Some stylish direction and interesting storytelling until it reaches the present day at the end. At that point, things get overly schmaltzy and really generic. I don't see what all the hype is about, it's just a decent film. If this wins best picture at the Oscars, it's a crime.

Beautiful, hearwrenching, stunning - how anyone can give this lower than an "11" is beyond me

I've been watching good movies for nearly 62 years. This was one of the best films I've ever seen. I didn't want to like it when it appeared to be a film excoriating the Indian caste system for its ghastly treatment of slumdwellers, but I kept being drawn in. By the time the credits rolled, I was riveted to my seat with everyone else in the theater. A brilliant cinematic achievement. If this is Bollywood, bring on more.… Expand

Creative film grabs you and doesn't let go. The acting and the the story is fantastic. Be forewarned that after you see this you will never visit India. Definitely will be up for an OSCAR as Best Picture of Year and deservingly so.

You've got to be kidding me. Do absurdly "earned" riches and a Bollywood starlet (there was no obvious chemistry between the actors so no "love" in sight) really make up for that horror of an early life? If they do then you can call the movie "uplifting". I don't think so and I am appalled by the way the audience is led around by the nose. We must really need a happy ending in a big way to jump for joy over this movie.… Expand

In response to the comment by David W-- I agree that this was not necessarily an "uplifting" movie. In fact, to even market it as a "feel good" movie is misleading. With that said, it is a GREAT movie. I give it a "10" for being an intense drama and an exciting unique mix of genres. And yes, as you mentioned, horror is one of the elements of the film.

This movie has plenty of facile emotional manipulation. There's a lot of poverty in the world, in case you didn't know it. Mean authority figures, too. Beware foreign films such as this one which is the latest darling among film critics!

I can imagine audiences in every country dancing in the theatre. no matter who you are you will like this movie in some way.

I just read David W's review. He must be a young man and doesn't get it. India really treats its citizen's this awful. The country is overcrowded, corrupt and only the strong survive. If you are from the slums as the lead characters were you have only a 20% chance of surviving. If the people don't kill you the disease and poverty surely will. Yes, the premise of the movie "Who wants to Be a Millionaire" isn't a true story but the lifestyle hits the nail on the head. I guess David still lives in a comic book fantasy world. Without question one of the best movies in many a year and should sweep the OSCARS for Best Picture, Best Directing and Best Screenplay.… Expand

This is a very good movie, but was much more troubling content than I expected from the trailer. I think that the way the film contrasts the slums in India with the westernized upper middle class India is interesting. The film builds to a pretty good conclusion. But you will like it more if you do go in understanding that the movie shows many harsh realities.

The movie moved along without letup, the acting was fine, the story was quite unusual (especially for Westerners), but somehow it did not really grab me emotionally.

One of the best movies I've seen this year.

This was the most entertaining and breathtaking movie of all year. It also has one of those stories that you will always remember. I hope it wins many awards come this awards season.

Stockholm, Sweden, Scandinavia This movie was mind blowing, really heart touching. The director Danny Boyle and the music producer A.R. Rahman did a amazing job in this movie. The background score was really good. A.R. Rahman is without any doubt one of the best music directors in this world. This movie will get in to my top 10!

The San Francisco Chronicle, Christian Science Monitor are just too dumb to understand (not surprised). All the decent reviews gave it good.

This movie was beautiful. Jamal's story shows that sometimes greatness can come from true despair.

Rich character development; love story always welcomed; intelligent dialogue; story never slows down; fresh story line;

The point of the movie is boring. Its 2009 and Im still watching movies about humans trudging around on earth. At this point in time, the viewer and critic MUST take into consideration, the TIME in which we live in, I am not interested in plots, even with high quality, that involve feeble comparisons between rich and poor, and young modesty for the rules and grandiose randomness primitive civilization sometimes presents. I crave something innovative, constructive, and complex; in complexity simplicity can be established, at any point, for a common viewer, in 2009 i expect more from all entertainment genres. I am not a troglodyte.… Expand

I am not usually one to write reviews, but since my point of view is not represented....I walked out of this film. It started with a torture scene, which was soon followed by a mob scene in which the hero's mother is murdered. The hero and his brother (now orphans) are soon picked up by an "orphanage." The orphanage teaches the kids to beg and when they burn one of the kid's eyes out to make him a better beggar - I walked out. I've seen many movies set in India and was ready for the poverty that would be portrayed. But it was too much. The scene of the kid getting his eyes burned out, haunted me for two days. The story had a great premise, but with each answer he gave in the quiz show - there was a related horror. That said, my husband really liked it. For me I could not stomach it.… Expand

Amazing soundtrack, breathtaking photography, incredible story, and excellent acting. By far one of the best movies I have seen in a long time.

Since David W pulled this below a 9 with his jaded view of what movies ought to be, I'll attempt to push it above 9 again with my 10 rating. This is one of the 2-3 best movies I've ever seen - right up there with Groundhog Day, It's a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story. Well paced - betrayal and redemption, love and heartbreak, all set in a culture and setting unfamiliar and eye-opening for most of us.… Expand

The best movie I have ever seen!!! It was perfect! The way the story is told is better than any other movie. 2 hours of enjoyment!

Superb! Real. Authentic. Hopeful. Masterful filmmaking. It is a unique twist on an old story, done so well and so differently. Best movie I have seen in many years!

I must be from another planet, or I watched a different movie than the one everyone's raving about, or I got much more humanity & entertainment out of a true masterpiece like Salaam Bombay. Slumdog is contrived and shallow when it could be at its best. The silver screen buckles under the gigantic Who Wants to be a Millionaire graphics. It has its moments, to be fair, but in such a compelling setting as Mumbai, Director Danny Boyle manages to serve up fast food when we could have been tasting authentic street fare.… Expand

A beautiful story that has heart, and magic. It has just enough realism to keep the suspension of disbelief, but it never loses its fairytale love story, and reaches toward the idea of fate and destiny.

Very good film---loved the beginning more than the end as I thought the young actors/early slumdog scenes were almost perfect--absolutely captivating. The story seemed to unfold predictably and edged on cheesy towards the end, but it still moved me so I guess that says something. Yes, it's very contrived in many parts, but really, it's a solid film worthy of theater prices and/or rental.… Expand

You'd be hard pressed to find another movie with so much emotion, exploration of the human condition, and commentary on poverty and social conditions. Throw in some underworld gangster action and a game show and this movie somehow ties the elements together perfectly. Don't miss it.

An emotional roller coaster.

Superb. Some squemish scenes and uncomfortable moments, but one of the best movies I've had the pleasure of experiencing. The acting by the children was remarkable. Go see it!

All movies stand on scaffolding that is artifice. The best movies (and this is one) make us either forget about the scaffolding, or not care one iota that it exists. This is the case of the latter. We know full well the improbability, even the impossibility, of the events here, but are so swept away by this film, its actors, its premise, that scaffolding be damned. I do like it better than anything else I've seen this year. Terrific movie. And Boyle is one hell of a director.… Expand

fantastic movie. great cinematography, entrancing (if a bit corny) storyline, great acting. I loved it. I'd probably give it an 8.7 or an 8.8 but 9 is closest.

A celebration of filmmaking and storytelling. A joy to watch. Everyone who liked this film should still read the book 'Q & A'. It will still surprise you.

I went to the movies by myself because my gay brother J was afraid to go. And am I ever glad I did. The movie was great. After seeing the beautiful vision that is India I can't wait to send J on vacation there. I told him about the lush countryside with green hills and valleys to roam and how warm and wonderful all the people of India are. If you are looking for a family vacation then India is the place for you. Don't miss this feel good warm and fuzzy movie.… Expand

Awesome. Possibly Boyle's best and thats saying something.

I would rank this movie 7.5, but 8 is the more accurate. I feel that it was a good story to tell. It was also a really inventive way of telling it, but I don't see it as being completely innovative and unique. The entire movie felt good, but it didn't kick in until the last 30 minutes. It is worth watching, but I don't see why it is on everyone's top 5 list this year (2008), unless it is because a lot of bad movies came out.… Expand

This movie has exaggerated both the poverty of Indian people and the attitude of the Indians. All the WORST POSSIBLE incidents that could happen to a human being is being depicted as happening to this SOLE PERSON, which can't be REALISTIC. I am at the same time not denying about the pathetic conditions of people living in the slums. But all the worst things occuring to a single person, is VERY UNLIKELY. The worst part of the movie is the attitude of the host of show "Who wants to be a millionaire". Being an Indian, I have never seen any person humiliating any other person in a PUBLIC SHOW. If something like this happens, the public will never tolerate these kind of humiliation on a show that is broadcast nationally. So this movie is a hype depicting all the bad side of the Indian culture and people. So I did not enjoy watching this movie.… Expand

I find the movie extremely offensive and racist. It shows Indian culture as bankrupt and evil. There isn't a single good Indian person in that movie. What are people happy about? Do you guys really believe India is such a morally bankrupt society? How come the west likes to see only movies that show abject poverty and misery? This movie is made by a westener for a western audience so that they can feel good about themselves. Pathetic!… Expand

Extremely overrated. Poor acting.An annoying cacophony atop a predictable structure.I want those 2 hours of my life back.

Interesting movie, if only for the fact that my date for the night actually said the love story to it detracted from the movie. Acting was good, the sense of humor was dry and often not easy to spot, and yet it still managed to punch you in the gut in the early half of the movie. The last half was it's weakest in my opinion.

Great movie for everyone over 15, especially for Americans who need to be reminded about how good we have it. This movie is about a street kid named Jamal (Dev Patel) who wins on the “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” show in India. Immediately, Jamal is accused of cheating. Jamal’s life story is told through horrific flashbacks explaining how he knew the answers to all the questions. This movie is full of emotion as you experience Jamal’s childhood, his close call to death and his falling in love.… Expand

It was undeniably one of the better movies of the year, but it didn't blow me away. I saw it before all the awards hype during it's limited run, so I didn't have many expectations except that I love Danny Boyle. I thought the set-up was a bit predictable and made the film feel a bit more linear than it should have--but everything else was well done. My father thought the film was incredibly good, and he is never open to a movie that is even remotely indie or foreign (though this was pretty streamlined, but still). So I recognize it's strengths, and definitely think it deserves its accolades more than Benjamin Button (it's just Forrest Gump 2!!! Jeez!), but it just didn't do that much for me. I'm quite sure that most people will really enjoy it though, so don't let me be a detractor. (Just for my money's worth, the best films I've seen this year are The Wrestler and Revolutionary Road, but hey--tastes.)… Expand

This is the most upifting and brilliant story told through cinema in a long time.

One of the best movies of the last ten years. Some scenes are very difficult to watch.

Totally overrated and did not connect with me at all. Not magical or tragic enough to move you and the gameshow parts are painfully bad. Very heavy handed, TV movie-like directing with not enough payoff to maintain interest. Once you realise how each incident pans out, your mind will start to drift. Not a terrible movie by any means but a bit cheesy, I really have to disagree that Danny Boyle is a great director. Though I've loved a few of his films, some feel very childish. This is one of them. For this type of film all others have to be judged alongside Amelie, this comes nowhere near!… Expand

Contrived Plot – predictable, stale, and totally implausible Formulaic Veneer of social conscious raising Why I like foreign films and dislike mainstream movies, everything is tied up in a ridiculous and totally improbable happy ending with love and millions of dollars If you are looking for a hidden gem, rent Little Chenier and see how films should be made.

Highly disappointing. Many aspects of this movie are great but Boyle's tendency to keep a tucky romantic love story in the center of the movie with awfully ridiculous dialogues simply ruins the movie. I choose 3 to counteract the high scores this movie gets.

I grew up in Mumbai myself, and while I am pleased that a movie about my city is receiving this much attention, I just wish it wasn't this particular film. It wasn't a horrible film, but I really didn't enjoy it as much as most people do. Regarding the credibility issue, I do agree that the film needed to "follow its own rules" as others have said. As I understand it, the movie tries to show fantastic things happening in a gritty, realistic world. But the world itself is not realistic. Apart from minor errors in terminology, (eg. talking in terms of millions rather than crores, calling the quiz show its US/UK name rather than the Indian name, etc.), the fact that all these practically illiterate people can speak perfect English is extremely unrealistic, which foreign viewers may not realise. A lot of the plot hinges on this ability. Also, as everyone should know, the 'phone-a-friend' thing doesn't happen live with everyone watching! The person on the other end would just look up the answer online before the call is even made! The quiz show is obviously always prerecorded. I also felt that, since Jamal's love for Latika drives all his actions, it was very unconvincingly portrayed. I understand the guilt he feels for leaving her behind as a child. But guilt is not the same as love. Why does he love her as an adult after having such a flimsy friendship with her as a child? I am willing to believe it's possible, but surely the director might have fleshed it out more convincingly. Lastly, the brother's suicide was extremely unjustified, and again the director could have helped us understand it better.… Expand

I long to pay homage to Danny Boyle, S. Beaufoy, the great cast, and AR Rahman. This film gives viewers everything they go to the movies for in an explosive yet measured stream of laughs, horrors, griefs, suspense, and wonder.

This is film at its best - challenging, funny, romantic and uplifting all at once. And most importantly, it is so enjoyable that the time spent going to see at the cinema is worthwhile.

Slumdog Millionaire is well worth seeing. It is original, thought provoking, as well as entertaining. The story walked more on the darker aspects of life than I usually like in a movie. But in this case some worth saying needed to be heard. It was really difficult seeing all those scenes of absolute poverty, violence, and criminal abuse those children had to suffer. In many ways they mirror what has happen and in some cases still does happen to impressionable children around the world. The film helps give understand to how our environment can profoundly shape us. Jamal however throughout everything this never loses his heart, ideals and compassion. He grows to be a man committed to truth as well as living out his highest desire, which in this instance simply being with the person he loves the most. With a single focus he never seems to forget even over length time separations and a vast array of circumstances. I thought the film was spot on, harrowing almost at every corner. The end was ok but seemed to lose its punch a bit, though it had its charm as well. Make sure you stay for the credits which I found quite a surprise.… Expand

Very disappointing. I didn’t connect with this movie at all. The portrayal of India and its people is mostly, if not entirely, negative. Westerners are portrayed as shallow and rich. The main characters spend most of their life stealing from people. Granted, they’re orphans, but the movie glances over the fact that they’re con-men and thieves. Then suddenly, the main character decides to get a job. The two brothers get separated in a contrived way that’s not even shown, it’s mentioned briefly in some dialog. I just don’t get the hype. I enjoyed Mall Cop, which got horrible reviews, much more.… Expand

Great movie I can't get enough of it!! love how boyle left in the part where the 2 dudes say "no filming here" lol classic. Good soundtrack too.