Review: Slumdog Millionaire

Slumdog Millionaire

Brilliant. Poignant. Powerful. Fun.

I thought this film was very well done, very timely and beautiful in it’s harshness.

It’s the return of Neorealism.

Neorealism is characterized by a general atmosphere of authenticity. Andre Bazin, a French film theorist and critic, argued that neorealism portrays: truth, naturalness, authenticity, and is a cinema of duration.

It has a definite social context in India, a sense of immideiacy, it’s political commentary on India (and America in a good way, we love that), it’s authentic and has a documentary feel and used ‘Hollywood’ unkowns. It’s the return of Neorealism and it was done brilliantly!

Neorealism in cinema began at the end of WWII as a blow-back to the Classic Hollywood cinema and reflected the darker sentiment of the times in Europe. Slumdog Millionaire is an excellent look at the times in India, the grow of the country and the coming of age of it’s people through the growth of the films three main characters.

The film is disturbingly real at times, blatant and unforgiving in it’s imagery. But it is this same grit and harsh reality that the beauty of the film comes from. It is moving and heartfelt and still manages to leave us happy and fulfilled.

You are on the edge of your seat at times, but Love triumphs against the odds.

It is very much worthy for best picture.