slumdog millionaire dvd
very happy with the purchase, fast delivery, good quality as expected, pleased to watch, great as a gift.
higly recommend

Diverting, but ultimately a bit tacky and shallow
I was rather overwhelmed by the exoticism of this film. I'd never seen a story filmed in such a setting before. It was fun in parts (the scene in the Indian public lavatory is a classic bit of screenwriting) but the Millionaire structure rather depressed me, and the contrivance just didn't move me. I liked the dancing at the end. Not really worthy of an Oscar in any department, though.

This movie is 20 million rupees!!!!!1
I got given a few tickets to go and see Slumdog Millionaire which recieved pretty favourable hype. I wasn't quite sure because it smacked of a bollywood production (Indian director, rather notable stars, love story). I take all of that back now. This is a superb film. I'm guessing you'll come across the same dilemma about whether or not its worth it, it is. (the latest Batman was ---- but got more audiences). Just to fill in here. I tried palming on my own tickets for this film which hasn't yet been released in UK cinemas. No-one took it up. When i explained this film to a few people, I got no takers and 'thanks, but no thanks'. It was also way out in Rubery which i only worked out how far it was away through a £20 taxi fare from the City Centre! I don't know what anyone else has heard about the film, but i've heard it mentioned a few times through film festival awards. The film itself has Danni Boyle's name as Director but he is actually co-Director. However, there is some pretty impressive camera work and photography in this film. I thought very much of Monsoon Wedding while watching it because it naturally came to mind. I really like the shots of India being taken, especially out in Mumbai. I recognise that these particular settings have irrevocably changed after the recent bombings and terrorist attacks. I have to admit that i was totally seduced by how visually beautiful and colourful the film is. Where this film really and truly succeeds is an incredible storyline. I was taken aback by how rich it was. It was very much in the cleverness of the adaptation of Le Carre's 'Constant Gardener' with the story progressing but being told through flashbacks. It made watching it far more entertaining because you had to be patient and piece through what actually happened. I really am a fan of well-told stories and I think this has to be one of the best. I have watched a lot of films, and I deliberately forgo a lot to make time for only the good ones. I was hooked for ages because the way the film tells the story is about as well crafted as the series City of Men or Pan's Labyrinth. There are so many funny bits with respect to children, that I was reminded a lot about the plot lines from BBC's Hustle. I'm not giving away the plot, but its one about childhood and growing up in the most extreme of circumstances and facing up to so many people being against you. Its also an incredibly beautiful love story. Its really a film about adversity. This film isn't a fairytale and i respect it more for trying to be serious. This film revolves around a boy sitting through Who Wants to be a (20) Millionaire in India but it was a headtrip into way more. A glimpse into child cruelty, the extent of poverty, crime, social commentary as well as rites of adolescence. It was really incredibly broad and requires a lot of concentration to keep up. The film however, is impressively dark, violent and disturbing in the way that Trainspotting was particularly macabre. This film appeals to me because it really is quite intelligent and elaborate. I think it would be a mistake to watch this if you liked Mamma Mia! Its wrongly hyped as a feel-good movie, but only if you completely ignore the particularly gruesome torture sequence in the first bit. In the same way as Usual Suspects, you have to play the role of the police detective interviewing the main character, and asking yourself if he really has told the truth or not. What i really admire is how great the children acting are in this film. I don't know how they were taught but they really were so damned good, portraying pain, suffering and humour. There is a lot of suffering in this film in particular. I doubt this film will be successful in England, because it doesn't dumb down or make anything saccharine at all. But yes.. all the pain.. a bit of mocking.. walking back in sub-zero temperatures, another me-date (I have really given up on going out with other people beyond a few people), a £20 taxi-fare. I would do all that again for this one because i really think it is a classic film. I'm probably being a bit premature here, but this film beats down the majority of films i saw in the cinema in 2008. I wouldn't waste my time by telling you about it otherwise. I've just got the soundtrack come through and i must tell you that it really is superb.

Dark and violent, most definitely not Bollywood
I had heard of Slumdog Millionaire through the news of the Oscars and through friends who had seen it, but actually had no idea of the story or what sort of audience it is aimed at. The actual story really wasn't what I had expected at all and the opening sequence took me by surprise. However, it turned out to be excellent viewing, even if the latter parts became slightly predictable.

The 15 rating is deserved due to the violence, torture etc in the film. There are funny bits there too, but also some very unpleasant bits. For anybody expecting Bollywood, this is not it - the only Bollywood is during the closing credits, which I have to say was quite refreshing after the dark nature of the film.

So, dark, violent, unpleasant viewing in places, with some funny bits interspersed. Overall, surprisingly good viewing.


Feel-bad not feel-good
It must've won the Oscars for the right reasons - to highlight the wretchedly grim life of children in the slums. But that does not make it an entertaining film. Far from it. The torture scene, excrement scene and the malicious blinding of a child are horrific. I really wish I hadn't seen this movie. I know for many people life is tough, too hard for words and there are people who really need shooting. The movie goes a far way to highlight these but it should not have been marketed as a feel good movie. It is quite the opposite. Avoid if you are screamish or sensitive, especially to mutilation of children.

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