what a... I mean e motion picture!

I accomplished many of the goals I set out today. Two of which should not have been accomplished back to back. watching house, and knocking a movie off of the list of 25. Let me start by saying, for those that don't know me very well, I am not the type of person to show emotion, good or bad. It takes a lot to move me one way or the other. An enormous amount. Well, today, I spent three continuous hours in constant tears... and from a television show, and a movie. House, literally moved me to tears, and I thought it was probably the most poignant powerful episode of a tv show I have ever seen. I was absolutely moved by it. So, I don't necessarily want to spoil it for those that do not, have not, or have not yet seen it... but let's say, that it very much tugged at my heart strings in a sad, cathartic, cascade of crying sort of way. So I finish that... I decide to go with slumdog millionaire from the list of 25. Don't watch the two back to back. don't. More tears. These, however, were tears I could barely choke back. I was so touched by this film just on an emotional level, and I must say, At the moment, if you asked me what my favorite film of all time was; the answer would be slumdog millionaire. I found it moving, life-changing, and amazing. Those type of emotional experiences are rare for me... but wow, what a rollercoaster of emotion today. and I think that's a fabulous thing to have every now and then. especially for me.

now; for an objective (though completely subjective) perspective on slumdog millionaire.

I have so much to say about it, I don't know where to start. First of all, I suppose the plot, the progression of the story, and the theme. Few films could aim for the absolute over the top grandiosity of plot that this film did. Few could aim, I would say none, absolutely none, could do it as effectively as this film. I am a sap for romantic story lines, and love conquering all, and the absolute story book ending type stories/movies that are written/produced. Most of them come across as a little cheesy. You just can't have a story like that and get away without being cheesy usually. This is the first part of this films brilliance. If any of you, which I hope all of you are, are familiar with bollywood films, you will understand what I mean. Bollywood films are meant to be over the top, rags to riches, colorful, musical sob stories. This film, as an homage to bollywood style films, is able to get away with the most over the top, romanticized script you could conceive and deliver it in a way that is not the least bit cheesy because of the bollywood backdrop. Genius. Absolute Genius. Typically cliche and forced moments become unforced because of the liberties such a film style allows you. They use these to perfection. Some of the questions he has to answer on the game show are so forced, but so poignant. The 20 million rupee question was the cheesiest, most obvious route you could go to end the film... and I would not have ended it ANY other way. absolutely fabulous.

second, cinematographically speaking, the film is stunning. They take a nearly impossible feeling to capture and through the cinematography, the use of interesting camera angles and wonderfully captured action, they manage to convey the intensity and emotionality of something so foreign to most people (myself included). The slums of India are a very complex, depressing, chaotic, place. Danny Boyle did an excellent job of capturing this. Furthermore, he had a slight tinge of the industriousness, sense of community and optimism that exists in these places that are enough to restore your faith in humanity. and he delicately inserted them without being too over the top.

Editing. Similary well done. Granted, I think the format of the show set up for easy and powerful editing. The seamless transition from past to present by the common thread ,(the questions and the reasons he knew the answer) was done effortlessly and near flawlessly in my opinion. To me it effectively illustrated the theme of destiny that I think they were shooting for. Furthermore, I think it showed the absolute precariousness, randomness, and complexity with which our life is determined. Every thing we ever experience in our life; no matter how minute, momentous, or seemingly unimportant, is inextricably tied to the present circumstances of our life. This to me is reason to live without regret, look at life through a positive filter, and be happy for what you have instead of dwelling on what you wish you had.

The music was fantastic. It was relevant, hip, culturally considered, and ostentatious enough to work as a bollywood tribute. The set, the contrasting colors that serve to elucidate the change from rags (slum) to riches (love/ the lights and cameras of the tv show) was very well done as well.

In my mind, everything in this movie worked. To me, this film was about hopeless romanticism and the beauty of life, and if that resonates with you, this film will as well.

Furthermore, I think this gave interesting insight into the development of india toward prosperity, and it was chronicled well in this film.

The characters were fantastic. The protagonist is obviously somebody that pulls you in, but the brother I think is a complex and wonderful character that showcases the thin line between good, evil, and the subjectivity of the whole thing. Other minor characters were well developed too. I specifically liked the blind girl to which Jamal gives the hundred dollar bill.

I could go on for pages and pages probably. But I absolutely loved it, and I think I'll spend my time watching it again instead of going on for pages. the end shot. the first kiss. absolutely fantastic too. :p

nighty night

-slumdog millionaire over the top romantic movie ending first kisses to all of you :p

ps, perhaps one of the worst grammatically written posts ever. please ignore all that and such.