Oscar Week: Slumdog Millionaire

"What Could a Slumdog Possibly Know?"

It was Christmas Eve 2008 when I first saw this movie. A friend of mine told me that it was one I absolutely had to see and Janni wanted our family to go see a movie Christmas Eve (a tradition we have since continued). Slumdog Millionaire was playing at our local theater that often features independent and foreign films. We went and were on the edge of our seats the entire time watching the screen fill with the pure beauty that is this film.

I recently wrote about how messed up our viewing of love and romance is in today's film. However, this is an exception. What I love about this movie is how uplifting it is. It really is a rags to riches story, but one in which the monetary gain isn't what matters, but the love of another is. Jamal Malik was born and raised in the slums of India. He grew up with his brother, Salim, and the two of them took care of each other and considered themselves Porthos and Athos of the three musketeers. After their mother was killed, Jamal wishes to have finish out their trio with Latika, another orphaned girl. After they are separated, Jamal spends the rest of his life working to find her and be with her forever.

In an effort to do this, he goes on India's version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire because he knows she'll be watching. He does not expect to make any money, but fate has a different idea. This film will give you hope and is all done under the brilliant direction of Danny Boyle.