# Slumdog Millionaire **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 1, 2008, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slumdog-millionaire/475117 "2008-12-01T01:25:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slumdog-millionaire/475117/21 "2008-12-05T17:13:54Z")
I’ll wait until it comes out on DVD so I can skip the torture sequence(s?). One of Danny Boyle’s films (_Millions_) is my favorite movie of all time. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slumdog-millionaire/475117/22 "2008-12-05T17:33:36Z")
They’re right at the beginning and they’re very short. ---
**Author:** ![Rodgers01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2008, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slumdog-millionaire/475117/23 "2008-12-06T08:17:09Z")
Saw it tonight, and thought it was great – I also picked up a similar vibe to _City of God_. I’m curious how it’s going over in India – anyone know? Is it considered a fairly accurate depiction of Indian slum life? ---
**Author:** ![anu-la1979](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/47e85d/32.png) [@anu-la1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anu-la1979)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2008, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slumdog-millionaire/475117/24 "2008-12-07T08:42:20Z")
Big thanks to the OP for starting this thread. I hadn’t heard of this movie till **Diogenes** mentioned it. My boyfriend and I just came back from seeing it and it was officially our favourite movie of the year. Were the young kids amateurs or real professional actors? ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2008, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slumdog-millionaire/475117/25 "2008-12-07T10:39:14Z")
I saw it Friday and loved it. It definitely has Oscar potential. I hope it gets a wide release so I can recommend that people see it. It’s very uplifting (my entire head was threatening to burst with tears at the end), and at the same time, intensely disturbing - it makes me almost afraid to visit India, especially the poorer areas. It gives a very visceral sense of what it might be like to be a slumdog, and wht it might be like to live in India in general. The sountrack is wonderful, and the dance number at the end is fun. That said, it has it’s flaws. The story framework concept is good, as is the general story itself, but the characters and relationships are never developed in depth. The protaganist is played by an actor who I’ve seen doing good stuff in other places, but he isn’t given a whole lot to do here (except as his younger self played by different actors). Especially so with the romance, which is the central plot - the whole aim is in reuniting the featured couple, so we never get to see them really in a relationship. Over the last few years I’ve seen a lot of great films done poorly - concept was amazing, visuals were stunning, acting was as good as could be given the dialogue - but while executed decently, it failed to really build up a fully satisfying emotional experience or reach a signifgant experiential climax. This film is the opposite - it takes what could easily be an afterschool special and executes it fantastically. it is constantly affecting and engaging, and reaches a very powerful emotional climax, despite what could be considered potentially weak material to be starting from. Anyway I loved it. I hope it gets at least an Oscar nom. If it does, I think it’s only competition will be MILK. I’m assuming it qualifies - do all english language films qualify even if they were produced elsewhere? Is there a minimum english quota (this film is 30% Hindi). ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2008, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slumdog-millionaire/475117/26 "2008-12-07T10:43:29Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > Breakthrough Performance by an Actor > DEV PATEL, Slumdog Millionaire This surprises me. I love Dev Patel, and he’s done some great stuff elsewhere, but his character in this is written as somewhat zen and passive. He portrays this fine, but it’s not exactly the kind of part you would want for your showcase. Again, his acting is fine, but there’s not all that much emoting for him to portray with this character. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2008, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slumdog-millionaire/475117/27 "2008-12-07T10:50:14Z")
> [@Rodgers01](#): > > I’m curious how it’s going over in India – anyone know? Is it considered a fairly accurate depiction of Indian slum life? From what I’ve heard, the only controversy has been that they cast Dev, who is British and not Indian. Boyle tried auditioning Indians, but found that most male actors in India are too well built and didn’t look the part of a skinny impoverished slumdog. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slumdog-millionaire/475117/28 "2008-12-08T21:22:48Z")
> [@jackdavinci](#): > > I’m assuming it qualifies - do all english language films qualify even if they were produced elsewhere? Is there a minimum english quota (this film is 30% Hindi). It doesn’t matter. Foreign language films that see screentime during the calendar year are just as eligible for the Best Picture category as the english-language/Hollywood ones. Even though there is a separate category for FL films, that doesn’t preclude them from competing in the Big Race as well. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slumdog-millionaire/475117/29 "2008-12-08T22:26:26Z")
I loved City of God and City of Men. Sounds like a good one. ---
**Author:** ![xanthous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/53a042/32.png) [@xanthous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xanthous)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slumdog-millionaire/475117/30 "2008-12-08T22:28:32Z")
Saw this yesterday and I can’t stop getting chills when I remember the music and the cinematography. I thought it was so excellent. My own favorite part: I was pretty teary at the conclusion of the story, and the adult Jamal and Latika dancing at the end credits made me feel so teary/smiley, but when they showed the child versions of them dancing, I lost it and happy tears were spilling down my cheeks. Gah—I’m getting all choked up again! ---
**Author:** ![HoboStew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f17d59/32.png) [@HoboStew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoboStew)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slumdog-millionaire/475117/31 "2008-12-08T23:36:30Z")
I liked this movie, but it looks like I am the only one who thought the direction was pretty awful. It’s like he felt the need to put every visual gimmick he could into the movie, regardless of whether it was necessary. Several times during the movie I had to simply stop watching the screen because it was assaulting my eyeballs with his frenetic style. Great movie, great acting, totally over-directed. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2008, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slumdog-millionaire/475117/32 "2008-12-20T05:35:27Z")
It finally opened here in Las Vegas today and we went to the first showing. Very good film, and yes, probably one of the top ten of the year so far. As far as an Oscar nod for Best Film, I doubt it…but depends on how some of the other films with buzz actually do. I liked the story structure. And even though you sort of knew how it was going to end, it still held enough twists to keep you wondering. Some great acting by a cast of mostly unknowns (at least to us, and probably most of the US audiences) although my SO thought Dev Patel looked a lot like Michael Phelps. Surprise a friend or two and drag them to see this…yes, it is a bit brutal in a few scenes, and yes the environment is pretty gritty…but the overall story is very upbeat with a pretty great love story unfolding with that depressing backdrop. Not your usual Hollywood film and maybe that is why this seems like such a little treasure to find at your local multiplex. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2008, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slumdog-millionaire/475117/33 "2008-12-20T07:11:46Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > As far as an Oscar nod for Best Film, I doubt it…but depends on how some of the other films with buzz actually do. I think you can count on it. It’s an absolute done deal. It may not win, but there’s no way in hell it won’t be nominated. In fact, people who live in places where the movie isn’t playing can astound their non-movie buff friends (and maybe win some bucks on a bet) by choosing it in an Oscar nomination pool. They’ll say “What the hell is that? Never heard of it, you’re crazy” and when it’s on the list they will be amazed at your mad prediction skillz. Edit to add, just like those who knew enough to know that Juno would be nominated, or Kiesha Castle-Hughes, or Adrien Brody. Keeping track of precursors really makes you seem clairvoyant to those who don’t. ---
**Author:** ![beckwall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b487fb/32.png) [@beckwall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beckwall)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slumdog-millionaire/475117/34 "2008-12-22T06:59:59Z")
Loved it. Colorful (extra bright, or so it seemed to me), music was amazing, just a really great movie. And yes, the ending credits - I want to see that again! ---
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slumdog-millionaire/475117/35 "2008-12-30T03:33:35Z")
I just saw it today and was blown away. The depiction of the slums of Mumbai was nauseating as well as fascinating. And I really liked the love story angle, because the girl (at least the grown up version) was someone worth fighting and maybe dying for. Also, was I the only one urging Jamal to pick D? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slumdog-millionaire/475117/36 "2008-12-30T03:38:13Z")
> [@Frostillicus](#): > > Also, was I the only one urging Jamal to pick D? On which question? I knew the Musketeers question. I didn’t know the cricket question, but I was thinking “he’s lying, he’s lying” when the host tried to feed Jamal the wrong answer. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slumdog-millionaire/475117/37 "2008-12-30T04:44:12Z")
What blew me away with the end credits was not the dance but when they showed the three actors who played the brothers, that is when it dawned on me that it was three actors playing one character. The boys were really great, they gave one performance. The only thing that bugged me was that he learned all the replies in chronological order through his life. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slumdog-millionaire/475117/38 "2008-12-30T04:52:34Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > The only thing that bugged me was that he learned all the replies in chronological order through his life. Well, thanks a lot. I hadn’t thought of that until you said it. Oh well, the movie explicitly says that it’s all predestined anyway. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slumdog-millionaire/475117/39 "2008-12-30T04:58:24Z")
What do Indians think of the movie? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slumdog-millionaire/475117/40 "2008-12-30T05:19:22Z")
> [@astro](#): > > What do Indians think of the movie? I haven’t seen too much about the response of Indian audiences but [here’s one review](http://www.aintitcool.com/node/39248) submitted to AICN by an Indian reviewer. He picks a couple of small nits (like the lead actor’s disguised British accent), but is mostly very positive. here’s his final paragrph: > [@](#): > > But Danny Boyle, god bless him, has been successful in making a movie > about India that does not feel condescending. A story with India as a > character but without the funny accents, or westerners discovering > themselves, or any crap about “elders of the gentle race.” It is > actually a film that an Indian can appreciate more than the average > western viewer: the subtitles don’t let Anglophones in on the > cusswords. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slumdog-millionaire/475117.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slumdog-millionaire/475117.md?page=3)