So first things.
The positive side.
Wonderfully directed. Danny Boyle is the man. I've been a fan of his since way back. Trainspotting. 28 Days Later. Sunshine. 'Nuff said.
Encouraging for me as a young director is the style of the film. Fairly simple compositionally, not impossible to do like--for example--a Michael Bay film.
Wonderfully acted. The casting department deserves a big bottle of expensive vintage red. The acting was superb. Naturally that has a lot to do with Mr. Boyle and with the actors themselves but man, they were nicely cast.
Finely--if classically--structured. Nicely paced.
Two things about it that left me a little less than totally blown away.
1) Since I saw it this late in the game, what with all the hype around it, the Oscar's sweep etc. I wasn't as impressed as I thought I'd be. This has happened to me before. It's like I'm the jury influenced by the news. I was prepared to be AMAZED and wasn't.
2) Much of the tension is built around watching the show unfold and I caught myself thinking several times, "Man, I've already seen 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?' on TV. Why am I watching a feature film version?"
I did, however really like the fact that the interrogation is revealed to be on the day of the big night. That was a nice touch.
The subtextual, 'shit happens/it is written', theme was maybe part of the reason the film didn't blow my mind. I tend to respond a little more strongly to stories that don't have 'fate' or 'blind determinism' at the root of their 'why'.
But enough negativity.
Certainly a very worthwhile theatrical experience. I was totally immersed most of the way through. And considering their 'indie journey' and the great struggle they've endured to reach this point I'm certainly a fan.
My problem is 'The Curios Case of Benjamin Button' left me totally flabbergasted and that's what I was expecting of 'Slumdog'.
Very enjoyable though, certainly worth experiencing.
The cityscapes and child actors will blow your mind.
T
