Zola's Movie Pic's: Slumdog Millionaire (2008) R

I had to see what the hype was all about and got my copy as it came out on DVD 3-30-09. After seeing previews, my thoughts imagined more of a musical, but this is nothing like I was expecting. The movie, based on a true story, is not only gripping, but a truly realistic portrayal of a very colorful culture. The young children actors are amazing in their roles, especially to learn that most of them have never been in front of a camera before. It's fun, sad, tragic, romantic, and the outdoor toilet scene is wild. My only complaint is it took me a while to get the connection that the older Jamal was flashing back to his past. I recommend viewing with closed captions so you won't miss any of the dialogue as some scenes have rather heavy accents.

When an extremely poor boy from Mumbai, wins a large sum of money on a television game show, he's accused of cheating. Jamal has no formal education and his only knowledge is what he's learned growing up on the streets. But no one will believe that a slumdog from the streets of Mumbai, could possibly win any other way.

Jamal Malik nine, and his brother Salim, eleven, live life as street urchins, begging and stealing on the streets of Mumbai. They become orphans when their mother is killed in an attack on their village by a group of Muslim haters. Left to fend for themselves, they sleep where ever they can find shelter. Jamal is upbeat and always is looking on the bright side of his pitiful life. He views their plight more as an adventure, like being one of the three Musketeers, and he and Salim only make two. Latika, also age nine, has also been left to fend for herself and Jamal notices her and feels she's his destiny fulfilling the rank of the third Musketeer. He invites her to join them in shelter they have taken out of the weather, and the three become good friends. As they grow, they learn the hard truths of greed and child abusers, which cause their unfortunate lives to take separate directions. But Jamal (Dev Patel), now 18, believes in his destiny, enters and goes on to win 20 million rupees on the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. He knows Latika is a fan of the game show and it's his hope she will see him. But first, his big problem will be convincing the show he didn't cheat and is only armed with his soul and the knowledge from his past life experiences.

The cast of children include:

Ayush Mahesh Khedekar - Jamal (youngest)
Tanay Chheda - Jamal (middle)
Dev Patel - Jamal Malik (older)
Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail - Salim (youngest)
Ashutosh Lobo Gajiwala - Salim (middle)
Madhur Mittal - Salim Malik (older)
Rubina Ali - Latika (youngest)
Tanvi Ganesh Lonkar - Latika (middle)
Freida Pinto - Latika (older)

Now check out these awards on top of the Oscar pick of 2008:

2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Alliance of Women Film Journalists - Best Picture
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Alliance of Women Film Journalists - Unforgettable Moment Award
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Alliance of Women Film Journalists - Cultural Crossover Award
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Alliance of Women Film Journalists - Best Director
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Boston Society of Film Critics - Best Picture
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Boston Society of Film Critics - Best Art Direction
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Broadcast Film Critics Association - Best Picture
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Chicago Film Critics Association - Best Adapted Screenplay
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Chicago Film Critics Association - Most Promising Performer
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Chicago Film Critics Association - Best Director
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Dallas/Ft. Worth Film Critics - Best Picture
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Dallas/Ft. Worth Film Critics - Best Director
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Florida Film Critics - Best Director
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Florida Film Critics - Best Screenplay
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Picture - Drama
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Houston Film Critics - Best Director
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Houston Film Critics - Best Screenplay
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Iowa Film Critics Association - Best Picture
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Iowa Film Critics Association - Best Director
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Kansas City Film Critics Association - Best Adapted Screenplay
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Kansas City Film Critics Association - Best Picture
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - London Film Critics Association - Best British Film
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - National Board of Review - Best Picture
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - National Board of Review - Breakthrough Performance by an Actor
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - National Board of Review - Best Adapted Screenplay
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - National Society of Film Critics - Best Cinematography
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - New York Film Critics Online - Best Cinematography
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - New York Film Critics Online - Best Picture
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - New York Film Critics Online - Best Director
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - New York Film Critics Online - Best Director
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - New York Film Critics Online - Best Screenplay
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - New York Film Critics Online - Best Score
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Online Film Critics Association - Best Editing
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Phoenix Film Critics Association - Best Picture
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Phoenix Film Critics Association - Breakthrough Performance
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Phoenix Film Critics Association - Best Performance By a Youth - Male
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Phoenix Film Critics Association - Best Editing
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Phoenix Film Critics Association - Best Director
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Phoenix Film Critics Association - Best Adapted Screenplay
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Producers Guild of America - Best Picture
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - San Diego Film Critics Association - Best Director
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - San Diego Film Critics Association - Best Editing
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - San Diego Film Critics Association - Best Cinematography
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - San Diego Film Critics Association - Best Score
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - San Diego Film Critics Association - Best Picture
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - San Diego Film Critics Association - Best Adapted Screenplay
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Screen Actors Guild - Best Performance by a Cast
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Southeastern Film Critics Association - Best Director
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Southeastern Film Critics Association - Best Adapted Screenplay
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association - Best Foreign Language Film
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association - Best Director
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Washington D.C. Film Critics Association - Best Picture