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Based on the novel called Q&A by Vikas Swarup and with the screenplay written by Simon Beaufoy, this film directed by Danny Boyle (The Beach, 28 Days Later, Sunshine) and Indian co-director Loveleen Tandan (His IMDB PAGE) is a very refreshing film to see indeed. It took me till about half way through the film to figure out that basically this is a very original way to repackage a standard tradgic life story.
The basic premise is that our main character "Jamal Malik" (Dev Patel) is on the famous TV show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire who wins 20 million rupee and is taken for questioning after the first night of the show as he is suspected of cheating. In order to clear his name of cheating he explains to the police officer who also had him tortured how he knew the answers to each of the questions and thus convincing the police officer of his innocence through a series of stories which are to believable to ignore.
The way our leads story is told just made the whole experience very enjoyable and made me not wretch after finding out that’s its essentially a love story. He takes us through a unique romance spanning childhood and adulthood involving our female lead "Latika" (adult version: Freida Pinto and also a love/hate power struggle with our leads brother “Salim” (older version: Madhur Mittal).
All in all, this entire movie was a great watch for me with a great story/stories!!, fantastic acting, great photography and production and solid directing. However, the ending is an issue for me. Now I am not talking about the endearing shout out to Bollywood but more the slow motion montagey soppy ending on a kiss. For a film that repackaged and disguised a love story in such a clever way just seemed to let me down with the very last scene of the film, but I will forgive it for the reasons that I think that the rest of the film is to interesting to just diss it.
Rating: 7/10
IMDB movie link:
Slumdog Millionaire
Released in 1999 here in Australia, written and directed by Woody Allen, nominated for a few awards and starring a literal who's who list of back then both up and coming and already made stars such as Melanie Griffith, Winona Ryder, Kenneth Branagh, Judy Davis, Charlize Theron, Leonardo DiCaprio ad many many more. A cast such of this is a testament to the film (in my opinion) genius that is Mr Woody Allen.
The story centres around 2 characters "Robin Simon" (played by Judy Davis) and "Lee Simon" (played by Kenneth Branagh) and we as the viewer are taken on an in depth tour of a couple braking down, the emotion involved and the transformation that inevitably occurs when they come out the other end of the turmoil. Woody Allen has made his name in the film industry for his cinematography and his dialog...among other things but lets concentrate on those.
I always fall in love with New York when I watch his films, he has a knack of knowing what to capture and how to do it and this is no exception. Shot in black and white, this film seems to be able to transplant me into New York City as an observer of this intricate story. I found myself swept up in the seemingly runaway train like pace of the dialog and movement of scenes. Not to imply that this film rushes you but you are comfortably moved along with the story which I believe is at a suitably fast pace.
Woody Allen has written a story here which allows the viewer to relate to the experiences that our two leads are going through with each other and the new people that enter each of their lives along they're journey. All of us or at least most of us have gone through a rough breakup with someone you loved or at least cared about a lot so the emotions that our two leads emote are easy to grab onto and run with which makes for not so much a tear jerker but more a relatable enjoyable experience.
Sex is something that plays a big part in a lot of Allen’s films and this one certainly holds up that that part of his reputation as a writer. Casting some of the most beautiful women on screen our male lead "Lee Simon" goes through a set of experiences, which illustrate the reasons for his, wanting a divorce with his wife (Robin Simon). He has grown board with his marriage and starts having affairs with a variety of gorgeous women to make up for his dull state of mind.
"Robin's" character is one of a broken hearted women building her confidence back up with the help of her friends or in this case her friend "Jan" (played by Monique Fowler) who pushes her into things rather forcefully but with all good intentions. “Robin” is a slightly repressed catholic women who for the first time is discovering herself both emotionally and sexually, having been with her husband since college she is forced to stand on her own two feet. Most of "Robin's" side of the film is the healing aspect of a serious breakup
I would say that more then half of the story is spent following "Lee" through his exploits with women however when you come out the other end it feels like both sides of the story have been told well and were very balanced. This film had a great effect on me, that made me actually feel and understand each of the peoples point of view and doesn’t even for a second go down a soppy or cliché path choosing one of realism and interest.
All to much do films like this take a bad turn and end up having an overblown love story for the “underdog” of the story however in this case both parties involved experience a good dose of victory and failure each which in my opinion is a far more believable and relatable feature to the story. As you can probably tell, this movie is not a fantasy or even a love story; I guess at a reach you could call it a romantic comedy but only due to Woody Allen’s neurotic sense of humour.
Yes I am very late with this movie however I have not seen a lot of films and at times like this, I am glad I had not seen it any earlier because it is definitely talking to me more directly at this point in my life which makes the experience more enjoyable. I highly recommend this film to anyone who is in need of a film with strong scripting, acting, great photography and direction.
Please leave any feedback or comments. As this is my first post I am sure I need to refine my writings a lot so constructive comments would be greatly appreciated.
RATING: 8/10
IMDB link to the movie:
Celebrity (1998)
Hello
My name is Justin and I hope to bring all you readers some interesting opinions about film and also spark some interesting discussions. I will not only be reviewing/commenting on new release films but also talk about dvd's I may have watched etc.
I have worked in the film business and have a deep love and appreciation for the art form of film making.
I hope all who read this blog will enjoy the read and come back for more. Obviously opinions and feedback is appreciated.
Thank you and I hope to post up here very soon.
Justin
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