IMDb > Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Slumdog Millionaire
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Slumdog Millionaire (2008) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 28 | slideshow) Videos (see all 30)
Slumdog Millionaire (2008) -- The octogenarian odd couple of film criticism, the Reel Geezers, review Slumdog Millionaire.
Slumdog Millionaire (2008) -- The story of how impoverished Indian teen Jamal Malik became a contestant on the Hindi version of "Who Wants to be A Millionaire?" -- an endeavor made in  an effort to prove his love for his friend Latika, who is an ardent fan of the show.
Slumdog Millionaire (2008) -- Clip: Jiaho
Slumdog Millionaire (2008) -- Behind the scenes: Skateboard steady cam
The Wrestler (2008) -- Danny Boyle discusses how he acquired the rights to the Hindo version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" with director Darren Aronofsky.

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Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 17% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Directors:
Danny Boyle
Loveleen Tandan (co-director: India)
Writers:
Simon Beaufoy (screenplay)
Vikas Swarup (novel)
Contact:
View company contact information for Slumdog Millionaire on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
23 January 2009 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Love and money... You have mixed them both. more
Plot:
A Mumbai teen who grew up in the slums, becomes a contestant on the Indian version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" He is arrested under suspicion of cheating, and while being interrogated, events from his life history are shown which explain why he knows the answers. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won 8 Oscars. Another 93 wins & 45 nominations more
User Comments:
The little movie that will wow audiences this year. more (858 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for some violence, disturbing images and language.
Runtime:
120 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
When young Salim goes to sell the autograph of Amitabh Bachchan to the projectionist of the theatre, the movie being played is Ram Balram (1980/I). The film can be seen running out-of-focus. The voices heard belong to Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan and Ajit. The film also had Ajit's character beating up and terrorizing kids Ram and Balram, the characters played by Dharmendra and Amitabh - a possible allusion to the treatment meted out to the slum children. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: In the movie, the correct answer to the question of who wrote the song "Darshan Do Ghanshyam Naath" is shown as 16th century poet "Kavi Surdas". However in reality, this song is written by Gopal Singh Nepali for the movie Narsi Bhagat (1957). This song is also credited as traditional and originally written by 15th century poet Narsinh Mehta, whose life that film is based on. (Many, including the film, mistakenly attribute it to the 16th-century poet Surdas due to the fact that Surdas was blind and the song is a prayer asking God to "appear" before him, for his "eyes thirst for Your sight".) more
Quotes:
Prem Kumar: Its getting hot in here.
Jamal Malik: Are you nervous?
Prem Kumar: [audience laughs] What? Am I nervous ? Its you whos in the hot seat, my friend!
Jamal Malik: Yes, sorry.
more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Dreams on Fire more

FAQ

Who were the people who killed Jamal's mother?
Is 'Slumdog Millionaire' based on a book?
What are the questions Jamal answers on the game show?
more
476 out of 700 people found the following comment useful.
The little movie that will wow audiences this year., 7 September 2008
10/10
Author: Jar_of_Inspiration from Toronto, ON

There has already been some talk coming from Telluride that this film is set to be this year's 'Juno.' It does have the same distributor and it is set for the same release period, and for anyone who hears this buzz, they will definitely not be disappointed.

During the premiere of the final cut (in the words of director Danny Boyle) at the Toronto International Film Festival, the audience gave the film an incredibly enthusiastic response, and it went on to win the People's Choice Award. Boyle, who is sometimes called a British Richard Linklater for yet again surprising the audience with such diverse subject matter, worked his magic. He transcended genres and created a truly unique and energetic picture.

Just about every aspect of this film deserves merit, and above all it belongs to Boyle, who managed to assemble such a massive achievement. The score by A.R. Rahman, with contributions from M.I.A., perfectly accompanies the action on screen. Still, it is great enough to be listened to on its own. With India as a backdrop, Boyle and his cinematographer have composed some remarkable images. The acting is roundly impressive, especially coming from the younger cast, almost all of which has never acted before.

The film begins as Jamal (Skins' Dev Patel) is under interrogation by Mumbai police for cheating on India's version of Who Wants To Be a Millionaire, being only one question away from winning it all. As the inspector says, even doctors and lawyers cannot come close to the 20m rupee prize, and so Jamal, having grown up on the streets of Mumbai, cannot possibly know these things. As Jamal tries to avoid further torture, he begins to explain to the police how he knew each of the answers. Flashbacks present Jamal's boyhood and explain how he got to the show.

At the centre of his journey is his brother, Salim, and a girl, Latika, who is left a homeless orphan after an attack that took Jamal's mother as well. After running from a man who exploits the trio for labour, Jamal replays the incident when Latika left his life when she was unable to catch a moving train. His uncertainty of her fate on the streets of Mumbai and his intense desire to see his first and only love again lead him to the interrogation room where the film began.

Like 'Juno,' Slumdog Millionaire is by genre a comedic drama, but it becomes much more. The film asks questions about fate, righteousness, greed, and even urban sprawl. Above all, however, it asks about love in the face of the most dire obstacles, and if it can truly prosper. Jamal's story is a tragic and unfortunate one, but as seen through his eyes, it is still beautiful. The vast colour palate of India overwhelm any negative feelings, and Jamal's hope of finding and being with Latika overwhelm despair. For Jamal, 20m rupees isn't his prize. It would be nearly impossible for there to be a better picture this year.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Real Slumdogs gorachacha
Name 1000 Movies Better then Slumdog iannacci8
Oh My God, the kid's eyes blueathena623
Chronological order of questions *potential spoilers* arealgideon
1 year done, going for two gorachacha
So is India really like this? dsgooden
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