Slumdog Millionaire

Today I saw a movie that was really, really, really good. My friend Todd had recommended it and I had seen some other press. It is the story of an Indian man who grew up in the slums of Bombay/Mumbai and then went on to compete on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. I am in love with this movie for a whole host of reasons.
(1) The way they tell the story of his life is such a clever device. It is through the questions on the show and that is as much as I'll tell you fearing that I'd give too much away by saying more. I like it when a story is told in an unconventional way. It reminds me of the movie Short Bus and the way that story was told through sex. (Different movies and devices but similar in their unconventional nature.)
(2) It gives what it is I'm guessing an accurately tragic view of life in the slums of India. I'm guessing there is some fictionalization of the setting, and since I've never been to India I can't say for sure, but I'm thinking it is fairly horrible.
(3) The children in the movie are really delightful. Well all the actors I think are really great. The children are just particularly cute. The lead actor who plays the adult lead is subtle and great.
(4) It is a movie that is full of hope and delight in the middle of tragedy and despair. An overcoming of great odds.


All in all, I loved it!!! If it is playing near you it is worth seeing. Go as date night or in the middle of the afternoon hooky from work playing activity. Just go. I give it two thumbs up. If I had three thumbs I'd give it three thumbs up. (Granted then I would be disfigured and probably would compensate by trying to hide the third finger, but it would still be sticking up.)