review by Ryan
Slumdog Millionaire 2008
Reviewed May 08, 2012
Ryan’s review:
D - Over-rated. Final answer.
Let me get this straight...I'm supposed to empathize with a kid who answers all these questions based on sheer luck? Fat chance. I want the heroes of my stories to work hard, persevere, struggle at every turn, and fight for victory...not succeed easily just by chance. Fuck that, and fuck this movie.
This movie was terrible. I usually really like Danny Boyle too.
I didn't like the thriller aspect of the movie that much. Don't get me wrong, I liked this movie but didn't think it was multi-oscar worthy. His answers weren't exactly luck? well maybe since every question was based on a life event of his, but it just shows how someone's entertainment muses can be someone else's traumatic experience (or something of that nature). I think it deserves a little more than 1.5 stars though lol.
According to my rating system, 1.5 stars is a D. I feel that's what this film deserves. There is a whole lot more wrong with it than the shit-luck aspect.
I have to say I really liked it, and found his story moving and engaging, but I have heard from many people who really don't like it, so I get where your coming from. I would say the hard work, perseverance and such that you describe is in the parts of the story that show how he knew the answers, not in the actual game show, though that in itself isn't portrayed as a walk in the park either. And the point of the film is not that he answers the questions because he got lucky, it's because he knew the answers. In the end though its a fable, not a realistic story, and isn't really meant to be taken literally.
He was lucky to be asked questions that he just so happened to know the answers to. Heck, the kid doesn't seem to know much beyond what he was asked in the questions!
I don't like coincidences in my stories. I'll allow just one - the one that gets the hero and villain together. That's it. Truly well-written stories don't need any more than that. Unless of course it beings about some serious negative consequences that makes the hero's task that much more difficult...but using coincidence to tell the story and help the hero just straight up pisses me off.
I'll agree the coincidences are silly, but since they're admittedly what the film is about I'll let it slide.
Your problem with him getting lucky on the show doesn't fit with me because of the hardship he went through to get to that stage. He struggled for victory all his life and got nothing; then he got lucky.
If nothing else, the film is a masterclass in digital cinematography and editing (the shift in actors as they roll down the hill, or even the juxtaposition of the two brothers being bathed in money simultaneously, one at his death, the other at his rebirth).
@Ryan I enjoyed this film more than I thought I would but I've done enough debating with you on your review of TDK so I'll just leave it at that on this film. I'll give you credit it is entertaining to read your review when you despise a film whether I agree or not.
I found his amazing stroke of luck after a lifetime of horrific tragedies to be completely earned. Just me.
Sorry for reviving this one but I disagree with the shit-luck aspect that got you so pissed off. I agree a bit with Amberfool. You claim that he didn't know much beyond what he was asked... the issue with your argument is that the story flashes back to parts of life where he knows the answers, not to the ones that were not asked. It wasn't luck. He knew the answers. He would've also answered any questions that were asked about Call Centres, Harbour Road and where tea plantation grow in India.
I, like you believe that the movie was over hyped and over rated but for reasons different than yours.
It's not about the quiz though..
Oi. spoiler tag needed :)
Yeah like he didn't work, struggle, fight and persevere all his life *rolleyes* In focusing on the quiz, a tiny aspect of the film, you're utterly missing the point and the things you want from a film and its hero. Because it is in fact all there.
Does not change the fact that he succeeded by sheer luck.