The million-dollar debacle on the Oscar winning movie “Slumdog Millionaire” refuses to die down. When the movie released in India, many protests broke out across the country and a huge hue and cry was raised over the various aspects of the movie. Issues ranging from the usage of the word ‘Slumdog’ – a dog in the slums to the ‘inexcusable’ display of the negative or rather, the depressing side of India, have been raised and the movie has been slapped with various allegations, showcasing ‘poverty-porn’ (I have not been able to figure out the term yet) being one of them.
Hence I was eager to watch this controversial movie (if I can say so), which had made headlines even before it hit the screens in India. I was not expecting anything out of the movie, but just wanted to know if there was any ounce of truth in all the accusations, which was bombarded on the movie. To be completely honest, I was thoroughly disappointed with the movie. Everyone feels empathy, sympathy or whatever towards the dark horse and in one way or the other, aspires him/her to win. But generally, the dark horse comes up in life not just because of luck/destiny, but mainly because of hardwork and dedication. I did not feel that was the case here, since from the beginning of the movie it was made very clear that the slumdog won million dollars because it was “written” in his fate. Well one can argue that it was just a movie and yes it was just another movie, but then one cannot be cheering a dark horse because he was just lucky (though helped by his cleverness) or since it was written in his destiny. Hence the praises accorded to the movie as being truly inspirational, sensational, mind boggling etc. was not worth it. I also found a particular scene not only difficult to digest but terribly depressing, where the young Jamal takes an American husband and wife for sight seeing somewhere and when they return to their car (a Mercedes Benz), it would have been completely robbed (even the tyres would be gone). Seeing this Jamal says that they (the Americans) only wanted to see the real India and when their driver assaults him, the husband and wife come to his rescue and comment that they would show him (Jamal) the real Americans and hand him a wad of dollars.
The lead protagonist also failed to arouse any sympathy or the feeling of joy when he won or sadness when he lost. The boy ‘Jamal’ was clever no doubt, but he won just because he was lucky or as it was shown in the movie repeatedly – it was his destiny. As a child, ‘Jamal’ was able to grab one’s attention with his wit, audacity and vivaciousness, but he lost it as he grew. Also, the movie that stood out and grabbed one’s eyeballs during the initial stages changes track and becomes just another Bollywood masala movie (in the 2nd half, particularly towards the end). Thank you Danny Boyle for not putting the amazing song “Jai Ho” somewhere in the middle of the movie with Jamal and Latika breaking out into a choreographed dance sequence out of nowhere.
Hence I was eager to watch this controversial movie (if I can say so), which had made headlines even before it hit the screens in India. I was not expecting anything out of the movie, but just wanted to know if there was any ounce of truth in all the accusations, which was bombarded on the movie. To be completely honest, I was thoroughly disappointed with the movie. Everyone feels empathy, sympathy or whatever towards the dark horse and in one way or the other, aspires him/her to win. But generally, the dark horse comes up in life not just because of luck/destiny, but mainly because of hardwork and dedication. I did not feel that was the case here, since from the beginning of the movie it was made very clear that the slumdog won million dollars because it was “written” in his fate. Well one can argue that it was just a movie and yes it was just another movie, but then one cannot be cheering a dark horse because he was just lucky (though helped by his cleverness) or since it was written in his destiny. Hence the praises accorded to the movie as being truly inspirational, sensational, mind boggling etc. was not worth it. I also found a particular scene not only difficult to digest but terribly depressing, where the young Jamal takes an American husband and wife for sight seeing somewhere and when they return to their car (a Mercedes Benz), it would have been completely robbed (even the tyres would be gone). Seeing this Jamal says that they (the Americans) only wanted to see the real India and when their driver assaults him, the husband and wife come to his rescue and comment that they would show him (Jamal) the real Americans and hand him a wad of dollars.
The lead protagonist also failed to arouse any sympathy or the feeling of joy when he won or sadness when he lost. The boy ‘Jamal’ was clever no doubt, but he won just because he was lucky or as it was shown in the movie repeatedly – it was his destiny. As a child, ‘Jamal’ was able to grab one’s attention with his wit, audacity and vivaciousness, but he lost it as he grew. Also, the movie that stood out and grabbed one’s eyeballs during the initial stages changes track and becomes just another Bollywood masala movie (in the 2nd half, particularly towards the end). Thank you Danny Boyle for not putting the amazing song “Jai Ho” somewhere in the middle of the movie with Jamal and Latika breaking out into a choreographed dance sequence out of nowhere.
Technically the movie is sound with good editing, cinematography, direction and of course music, for which it deserved Oscars. But I was surprised that it won the “Best Picture” as well. Maybe the Americans were indeed amused and entertained by it rather than with the extremely long and curious story of “The curious case of Benjamin Button” or “The Reader” or “Changeling”.
Well take it this way:
ReplyDeleteJamal learns so much from real!- life that he is able to beat Doctors ;engineeers ;advocates etc and earn a million
Its not just hard work that makes a great and successful man; destiny and luck also has apart to play(or rather it should be pit in like -Luck favours the hardworking "
ciao!