"Slumdog Millionaire" (***1/2)

I've always been a fan of Danny Boyle's films and I'm in the camp that thinks he isn't quite getting the credit he deserves for his vast array of well made films. I admire the diversity of his career with his directing grace in such films as "Shallow Grave", "The Beach", "A Life Less Ordinary", "28 Days Later" and "Millions". Talk about avoiding being pigeon-holed. He masterfully went from the dark and raunchy world of drug addiction (Trainspotting) to the horror genre of flesh eating zombies possessed by rage and fueled by killing (28 Days Later) to the ever touching and heartfelt joy ride of two little boys adventures after finding tons of money in "Millions", one of that years best films. The man can tell a story of any genre and once again he proves it with what will not only likely be one of this year's best films but it very well may steamroll it's way to Best Picture if the amount of pre-Oscar buzz generating around it is any indication.

"Slumdog Millionaire" is a thrilling rags to riches story set in India centered around Jamal Malik (Dev Patel) as a contestant on the Hindi version of "Who Wants to be A Millionaire?" Jamal, a driven and resilient young man that grows up far to fast has become a solo traveler having parted from his brother and the other street pals that once accompanied him. He originally uses the show as not a means for fame or fortune but rather as a platform to find, Latika (Freida Pinto), the girl he loves that has also been pulled from him. Due to the shows popularity and her interest in it, Jamal knows that it would be the perfect opportunity for her to see he is, in fact, alive and to find him, as he has no idea where she is or if she is even alive. It just so happens that along the way he keeps answering the questions correctly, thus thrusting him into not only the countries spotlight but an unforeseen and dangerous life threatening position of being accused of cheating by the shows Security and scandalous Host. This leads to his being tortured for his in depth explanations of how he could have possibly known all of the correct answers. In his explanations there in lies the fast paced exhilarating pace of this incredible journey of survival that takes Jamal form the slums of Mumbai as an orphan to the grand stage and only one question away from wealth and ultimately freedom from the extremely cruel and poverty laden streets. As each question is answered the live action flashbacks of his explanations to his captors illustrate how it was a part of his tumultuous journey and a key moment in the telling of the story by the scarring effects it had on his life, the answers were not merely remembered but rather burnt into memory based on the terribly brutal circumstances and horrible things he has already endured in his young life.

The film felt very much along the lines of the great Brazilian film "City of God" in it's tragic survival tale of youth violence on the poverty stricken streets. Patel gave a strong performance as the film's protagonist, Jamal and his love interest is equally well crafted by newcomer Pinto. "Slumdog Millionaire" is an excellent film that is sure to get serious consideration for Best Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay and the music is as thrilling as the action sequence keeping your eyes glued to the screen and your butt on the edge of your seat. Will Danny Boyle finally become a household name? If so it will be because he deserves it.