2008
Directed by Danny Boyle
Before we begin, does anyone plan on watching the Oscars this year? I haven't seen any of the nominated films except Moana. I don't plan on watching the ceremony or most of the nominations. But, needless to say, if "How Far I'll Go" doesn't win Best Song, I will burn this city to the ground.
Jamal Malik is an Indian Muslim competing on the Indian version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" He is one question away from winning but before the big moment, he is captured and tortured by the police, who suspect him of cheating. Jamal takes us through his life, explaining how random incidents in his life led him to each answer. By the way, as a huge Dumas fan, I would have totally crushed The Three Musketeers question. And, of course, the hundred dollar bill question. Other than that, I would have been lost.
Did this remind any other 1001ers of Manila: In the Claws of Light? Just once I would like to see one of these women successfully saved themselves. I am not saying it would be terribly realistic, but it would be a nice change.
In any case, I enjoyed this film. I think it's a very creative premise. I know a few of my followers attend trivia nights; I wonder if this film got you guys thinking about how you know certain things. Honestly, most of my knowledge (outside of formal education) comes from the 1001 lists!
Obviously visually dazzling but it's Danny Boyle, so there is going to be some gross.
RATING: ****-
Interesting Facts:
The grand prize in US dollars would be $411,600.
20% of the movie's dialogue is in Hindi.
I have heard it mention that this is a western movie about Indians in India aimed at a western audience and that it is disliked in India for that reason. Apparently they were quite offended.
ReplyDeleteI quite liked the movie though I was a bit surprised to see it win the awards it got.
Interesting. I was surprised too, but like Dessie said, the other nominees weren't great.
DeleteOscar's night is sacred for me. It's the only religious rite I have (that and try to watch each and every nominated movie - including shorts). Doing this living in Spain is no easy feat. Just to give you an idea the ceremony ends at 6 a.m.
ReplyDeleteI think "How Far I'll Go" has a fair chance since there are two songs from La La Land competing and that would probably split the vote. The other two are no competition.
I was really thrilled when Slumdog Millionaire won the Oscar! Everybody was for Benjamin Button which I did not dig and Danny Boyle's flick upset everybody. It was also the ceremony I best-remember and the one I liked the most.
I loved the film when I watched it. Although I never watched it again and have a faint memory of it. I have also heard about the misrepresentation of India. I can see the point in that but yet again Bollywood cinema can yet be blamed of that and they are Indian movies made for Indian people.
Amanda, after watching all those Indian films, do you think the view of India here is that much different?
Do you have a whole Oscar party or watch it by yourself? And do you mean do I think the Slumdog Millionaire is that different in its representation of India than the other films on the List? What comes to mind for me is Satyajit Ray and his India is perhaps even bleaker than Boyle's. Although that did feel less Westernized.
DeleteNo, I have to watched it by myself... really quite and with the earphones not to wake up the other people in the house. Mainly because I am the only idiot I know who stays up until the wee hours of a Monday morning.
DeleteYes, Satyajit Ray and Bengali cinema are very realistic. But I had in mind the Bollywood films like Deewar and so. They are not much more realistic than Slumdog Millionaire and they are Indian.
Never watched any of the Oscars live although have occasionally kept half an eye on live text updates. I respect the actors awards and assume that the lower profile gongs go to the right places, but looking back at what's won Best Picture down the years I just can't take it seriously, even accounting for the fact that it's difficult/futile to choose one film to be 'better' than all the others that year
ReplyDeleteYeah. Although it does feel like the same actors keep winning the same acting awards.
DeleteReminds me of the fact that here in Hong Kong the locals can't stand their most famous export Jacky Chan. As they say, "The reason all you westerners like him is because you can't understand all the shit he says".
ReplyDeleteHaha oh no it's true! I do like Jackie Chan
DeleteHere's a small selection. Still like him?
Deletehttp://hongwrong.com/shit-jackie-chan-says/
I really liked Slumdog Millionaire--I only saw it once and though there were many sad parts, I enjoyed the hopefulness. I am an activist against Human Trafficking, so the parts about the children were upsetting. (That part rang true.) I thought the acting was great.
ReplyDeleteAgreed about the acting!
DeleteI saw it at the cinema when it came out and never since and it didn't really leave a big impression on me. I thought it was a good film but I didn't love it or think it was amazing. But I remember at the time I had really wanted to see it because the plot sounded so intriguing. I think I felt it had something missing to it at the time but that was a few years ago so who knows.
ReplyDeleteI've never actually watched the Oscars. I've watched some acceptance speeches for different actors I like on youtube but never seen anything else of the ceremony. Which is funny as I can't help but like the Oscars and am always totally chuffed if something I like gets a nod...
There is something about this film that I don't like, that makes me feel uneasy and I cannot put my finger on it. Poverty porn? Well, maybe, but not quite it. A film aimed at western audiences? Well.. maybe, but..
ReplyDeleteLong before the film came out, the book was 'done' on the radio (R4, the morning reading for our UK readers), and I found it quite engrossing..
The Oscars. I'm really not that bothered who wins what, and I'd certainly not going to be watching. OK, a passing interest if it brings a minor film to greater public attention, but far to cozy 'in crowd' with the occasional 'We need to recognise so-and-so' .. for someone who's failed to win for year, so get thrown one for something really not that good, interspersed with a bit of painfully obvious political correctness to be seen to (try and) counteract the blatant commercialism..
OK, I will try and catch the news next day to see if there were some delicious bits of Trump baiting.
Ashley, I know what you mean. I don't watch them but I take everything really personally! And Ray, there will definitely be Trump baiting. I get it what you mean by 'poverty porn.' Many of the List movies could be described that way.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, Dev Patel (Jamal Malik) and Freida Pinto (Latika) fell in love while shooting this movie and are still together today.
ReplyDelete