Slumdog Millionaire

Since I tend to let societal fads pass by without notice, I was late to get on board the Slumdog train. I'm glad I didn't miss it altogether though because this is one craze worth its weight in Oscar gold.

I'll try to refrain from spoiling the story in my enthusiasm, but if my intentionally vague description isn't enough to convince you to see it, take the Academy Award folks at their word and give it a go anyway.

Slumdog Millionaire is about an orphan (Jamal) and his two companions (brother-- Salim and fellow orphan--Latika) who grow up in India surrounded by poverty and an unlimited supply of villains who want to exploit the kids for their selfish gain. The movie takes a front-row seat to life in the slums as the main characters face all the circumstances you'd expect for penniless and motherless children. And some you wouldn't expect too. These are the ones where you remind yourself that somehow, Jamal makes it to young adulthood and to the game show stage that provides the flashbacks to his life.

Jamal maintains a certain purity in his character--enough that he covers his eyes when Latika gets out of the shower, but not enough to keep him from swindling gullible Americans. He also maintains a clear conscience that allows him to give honest (and often cheeky) answers to inquisitor and game show host alike.

The characters' respective decisions--often heartbreaking, often surprising, and sometimes funny--separate and reunite the trio many times over. In the final reunion, you find the answer to the first question the movie presents:
"Jamal Malik is one question away from winning 20 million rupees. How did he do it?
a) He cheated
b) He is lucky
c) He's a genius
d) It is destiny"

Slumdog Millionaire reminds me of The Shawshank Redemption in that it earns its hope and the redemption for which it is named through the suffering, not in spite of it.

Slumdog offers hope, love and redemption. All three are well-earned.