Slumdog Millionaire

Name: Slumdog Millionaire
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: November 12, 2008
Duration: 120 min
Rating: 84
Cast: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto

2008

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 36 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 829 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	Your Score
7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 829 Ratings

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Slumdog Millionaire

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Movie Details & Credits

Fox Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: November 12, 2008 | R

Starring: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto

Summary: Slumdog Millionaire is the story of Jamal Malik, an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, who is about to experience the biggest day of his life. With the whole nation watching, he is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India’s “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?”But when the show breaks for the night,Slumdog Millionaire is the story of Jamal Malik, an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, who is about to experience the biggest day of his life. With the whole nation watching, he is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India’s “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?”But when the show breaks for the night, police arrest him on suspicion of cheating; how could a street kid know so much? Desperate to prove his innocence, Jamal tells the story of his life in the slum where he and his brother grew up, of their adventures together on the road, of vicious encounters with local gangs, and of Latika, the girl he loved and lost. Each chapter of his story reveals the key to the answer to one of the game show’s questions. Intrigued by Jamal’s story, the jaded Police Inspector begins to wonder what a young man with no apparent desire for riches is really doing on this game show? When the new day dawns and Jamal returns to answer the final question, the Inspector and sixty million viewers are about to find out. [Fox Searchlight]… Expand

Director: Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan

Genre(s): Drama, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 120 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Rene Rodriguez

A terrific yarn, one so engrossing and surprising that the nature of the story's structure -- each question Jamal gets asked on the show corresponds with a traumatic or momentous moment from his childhood -- never feels like a contrived framing device. Read full review

100

Liam Lacey

The story may stretch credibility until it's ready to pop its seams, but Patel conveys the simple confidence of a prodigy who has learned everything important in life, except how to lie. Read full review

100

Lou Lumenick

Four stars simply aren't enough for Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire, which just may be the most entertaining movie I've ever labeled a masterpiece in these pages. Read full review

James Berardinelli

The result is magical and life affirming, and will enrapture those who are not scared away by the mention of "subtitles." Read full review

Scott Mendelson

Absolutely perfect family entertainment for anyone over the age of ten. It is a celebration of not just the usual triumph of the human spirit, but a celebration of the human experience. Read full review

Michael Phillips

After last year's black-hearted "No Country for Old Men," the Oscars may well be in the mood to embrace a fairy tale sampling every imaginable genre, with a note of triumph accompanying even the worst suffering, capped by the snazziest ending money can buy. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

Doesn't hit its stride until the last 30 minutes, and by then, it's just a little too late. Read full review

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User Reviews

CraigM

Dec 21, 2008

In response to the comment by David W-- I agree that this was not necessarily an "uplifting" movie. In fact, to even market it as a "feel good" movie is misleading. With that said, it is a GREAT movie. I give it a "10" for being an intense drama and an exciting unique mix of genres. And In response to the comment by David W-- I agree that this was not necessarily an "uplifting" movie. In fact, to even market it as a "feel good" movie is misleading. With that said, it is a GREAT movie. I give it a "10" for being an intense drama and an exciting unique mix of genres. And yes, as you mentioned, horror is one of the elements of the film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

GabrielC.

Feb 28, 2009

One of the bests movies i've ever seen. The actors performance are brilliant mainly the youngest actors. I love it.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Rosco

May 9, 2011

A liberating and uplifting movie and the feel-good film of the decade, Danny Boyle delivers the Oscar Winning Slumdog Millionaire. And it's easy to tell why the film has won numerous awards. The film focuses upon Jamil Malik (Dev Patel) an 18 year old orphan from the slums of Mumbai and aA liberating and uplifting movie and the feel-good film of the decade, Danny Boyle delivers the Oscar Winning Slumdog Millionaire. And it's easy to tell why the film has won numerous awards. The film focuses upon Jamil Malik (Dev Patel) an 18 year old orphan from the slums of Mumbai and a constant on the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, who is one question away from winning 20 million rupees. However he arrested in suspision of cheating. During his interrogation Jamil reveals his incredible and heartwrenching story of his life as a young boy growing up on the streets of Mumbai with his brother Salim, and how he loved and lost the girl of his dreams Latika (Freida Pinto), each question links to a memoir of Jamil's exhilarating life. Superbly well directed in the ever capable and inspring hands of Danny Boyle who delivers a beautiful film from start to finish and one that will live long in the memory, utterly unmissable!… Expand

4 of 6 users found this helpful42

ChrisJ.

Dec 22, 2008

This is a very good movie, but was much more troubling content than I expected from the trailer. I think that the way the film contrasts the slums in India with the westernized upper middle class India is interesting. The film builds to a pretty good conclusion. But you will like it more if This is a very good movie, but was much more troubling content than I expected from the trailer. I think that the way the film contrasts the slums in India with the westernized upper middle class India is interesting. The film builds to a pretty good conclusion. But you will like it more if you do go in understanding that the movie shows many harsh realities.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

roberti.

Feb 7, 2009

Something fresh, something new, somewhere new.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Jan 27, 2009

I grew up in Mumbai myself, and while I am pleased that a movie about my city is receiving this much attention, I just wish it wasn't this particular film. It wasn't a horrible film, but I really didn't enjoy it as much as most people do. Regarding the credibility issue, I do I grew up in Mumbai myself, and while I am pleased that a movie about my city is receiving this much attention, I just wish it wasn't this particular film. It wasn't a horrible film, but I really didn't enjoy it as much as most people do. Regarding the credibility issue, I do agree that the film needed to "follow its own rules" as others have said. As I understand it, the movie tries to show fantastic things happening in a gritty, realistic world. But the world itself is not realistic. Apart from minor errors in terminology, (eg. talking in terms of millions rather than crores, calling the quiz show its US/UK name rather than the Indian name, etc.), the fact that all these practically illiterate people can speak perfect English is extremely unrealistic, which foreign viewers may not realise. A lot of the plot hinges on this ability. Also, as everyone should know, the 'phone-a-friend' thing doesn't happen live with everyone watching! The person on the other end would just look up the answer online before the call is even made! The quiz show is obviously always prerecorded. I also felt that, since Jamal's love for Latika drives all his actions, it was very unconvincingly portrayed. I understand the guilt he feels for leaving her behind as a child. But guilt is not the same as love. Why does he love her as an adult after having such a flimsy friendship with her as a child? I am willing to believe it's possible, but surely the director might have fleshed it out more convincingly. Lastly, the brother's suicide was extremely unjustified, and again the director could have helped us understand it better.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

JohnM.

Feb 16, 2009

I cannot understand all this weird appraisal noise about this underrate piece of movie. It

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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11	#11 Best Movie of 2008
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