I haven’t read the book, and the Internet informs me that the movie has taken cinematic liberty in interpretation of the written word. I thought it was going to be a movie like Gandhi – set in India, with Indian actors thrown in to make it look realistic, but with western finesse of storytelling and technical excellence that raises it to a higher plane.
In this movie, the attention to detail and visual imagery in bringing slums to celluloid, and camera angles give away the western influence. But at the end of it, it is standard Bollywood fare. Reports suggest that Big B and SRK were both approached to play the character that was eventually played by Anil Kapoor, and I can now see why they didn’t do the film.
What worked for me were two aspects:
The young children who play Jamal, Salim and Latika
Natural and utterly believable, they make their characters come alive. I rooted for them all the way, and was sorry to see them grow up; the adult performances are just no match. Watch out for young Salim’s reaction as he watches Arvind being blinded (the best scene in the movie for me), when he refuses shelter to Latika on the night his mother is killed, and when he and Jamal fall off a running train.
A. R. Rahman’s music
He is the reason why I enjoyed the movie. Brilliant is he in his usage of singers; I liked Alka Yagnik and Ila Arun together in this song. You might remember them singing together here earlier.
Slumdog, I expected (and wanted) you to touch a chord. Never mind.
In this movie, the attention to detail and visual imagery in bringing slums to celluloid, and camera angles give away the western influence. But at the end of it, it is standard Bollywood fare. Reports suggest that Big B and SRK were both approached to play the character that was eventually played by Anil Kapoor, and I can now see why they didn’t do the film.
What worked for me were two aspects:
The young children who play Jamal, Salim and Latika
Natural and utterly believable, they make their characters come alive. I rooted for them all the way, and was sorry to see them grow up; the adult performances are just no match. Watch out for young Salim’s reaction as he watches Arvind being blinded (the best scene in the movie for me), when he refuses shelter to Latika on the night his mother is killed, and when he and Jamal fall off a running train.
A. R. Rahman’s music
He is the reason why I enjoyed the movie. Brilliant is he in his usage of singers; I liked Alka Yagnik and Ila Arun together in this song. You might remember them singing together here earlier.
Slumdog, I expected (and wanted) you to touch a chord. Never mind.
17 comments:
Why wouldn't BB and SRK do it? :)
you got a pirated copy?!
suki
Hmm. I've read the book and quite enjoyed it- it wasn't literature, but then it didn't pretend to be! And I am still looking forward to the movie-though the odds are heavily against the movie in the typical movie vs book debate.
Hmm. I've read the book and quite enjoyed it- it wasn't literature, but then it didn't pretend to be! And I am still looking forward to the movie-though the odds are heavily against the movie in the typical movie vs book debate.
hey, i'm yet to watch it, but definitely not going to miss it after your post (piqued my curiosity as to whether its good, bad or ugly :P). Rahman's music is surely interesting(considering I get to hear ringa,ringa all the time at home!grrr..)
Check this space out for more: http://howdoesanamematter.wordpress.com/
@Rosh, they have 'played' this character in KBC already. The way I see it, as actors of their stature, where is the challenge?
@Suki, sadly yes. Got it from a colleague.
@QQ, does the book get you to root for the central character? My chief problem with the movie is that I couldn't do so, and I blame it on the storytelling.
@Shishul, hehe :)) I really like ringa ringa too! Do watch the movie, and tell me what you think of it.
Ahh, didn't think of that, :)
Pretty accurate review... you would have expected it to touch a chord.. but anyway.
I watched Revolutionary Road Sunday afternoon .... and let me take some liberties with English phrases here.. it not just touched, but clasped so many chords... watch it if you get a chance.
@Rosh, :)
@Phoenix, it is the Caprio-Winslet starrer right?? I am already on my way to becoming Caprio's crazy fan, and this is just what I need! :)
Yeah yeah yeah... it is the Caprio-Winslet starrer.... I'll forewarn you though... the movie is heavy.
I loved it. Jamal and Latika were cute, Salim was just awesome. I sat through it all the oh-no-no-no parts, and the ugh-ick-blech parts, and the wowies and the if-I-were-wussier-I'd-cry parts. :P
You know, I almost got Revolutionary Road, just checked that Phoenix is a girl in time. Last time I took a girl recco, I sat through 6 hours of Pride and Prejudice. :-|
How come you haven't blogged for so long? :)
@Phoenix, will watch it sometime.
@Rosh, a girl recommended 'My Left Foot' and I thought you enjoyed it. Will blog next when I have something to say! :)
Aye, but then that girl is almost an outlier on the girls-are-crazy theory, right? :D
How come you're still grumpy on a Thursday? A Friday, and we're freeeeee ....
@Rosh, you always get me to talk! Wait till tonight .. you shall know :)
Yow, now I'm intrigued ... alrighty, later today it is then. :)
I also really liked the scene where they fall off the train...I squealed when I saw that. Little Jamal was my favourite too...
@Rosh, you now know! :)
@Archu, did you know that Salim and Latika have been played by children from the slums?
Post a Comment