It pays to be a Slumdog! Or Does It?
CHUKA IKOKWU MBA '09
Issue date: 2/26/09 Section: Opinion
On February 22, after this issue goes to print, we will find out if Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire, the year's underdog, will snag the Best Picture award from the likes of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Milk, The Reader, and Frost/Nixon. The Mumbai-based movie, which cost only $13 million dollars in production and has thus far grossed more than $88 million worldwide, should not be mistaken for a mere chick-flick. For the entire two hours of the movie, I was at the edge of my seat, similar to when I first saw Schindler's List.
The movie recounts the tale of Jamal (played by Dev Patel) and the trials and tribulations he suffers while growing up as a peasant in the slums of Mumbai, only to end up on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. As I enjoyed this movie, and since it is in my opinion the best movie I have seen since 2007 (with the exception of The Dark Knight), I merrily implore you to go see it as soon as possible. Then, you can judge for yourself whether it deserved the Best Picture nod, let alone the award. However, before beginning your trip to the AMC or Regal, be sure to keep your stomach a bit empty. I grew up in a third world country myself but I had never seen a depiction of other depressed areas that were as vivid as when I saw this movie. At one point in the movie, I nearly threw up, and I have a strong stomach!
Some people, after seeing this movie, have stated to Danny Boyle, the movie's director, "I'm gonna quit my job and move to India", according to Entertainment Weekly's February 6 issue. However, I'm sure some, in seeing the seemingly cruel treatment of underprivileged adolescents and even infant paupers, as well as the rampant level of corruption shown in the movie, have sworn to never set foot in the city of Mumbai.
Those who grew up in Mumbai, the financial capital of India, may disagree that the movie's portrayal was accurate, and that there are indeed much nicer (and less violent) corners in the city. However, this is the power of the media.
About eight years ago when I first came to the United States, Americans would ask me: "Do you often run into lions and tigers back home?" How can anyone blame them for asking questions like this, when what they see in movies portraying Africa are the exact same things they ask about?
Whether Slumdog Millionaire wins the Best Picture Oscar or not, there is no question that the movie will leave a permanent impression of India on its non-Indian (and maybe even Indian) audience. After having seen this movie, I'm still perplexed as to whether it pays to be a Slumdog or not. You decide.
The movie recounts the tale of Jamal (played by Dev Patel) and the trials and tribulations he suffers while growing up as a peasant in the slums of Mumbai, only to end up on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. As I enjoyed this movie, and since it is in my opinion the best movie I have seen since 2007 (with the exception of The Dark Knight), I merrily implore you to go see it as soon as possible. Then, you can judge for yourself whether it deserved the Best Picture nod, let alone the award. However, before beginning your trip to the AMC or Regal, be sure to keep your stomach a bit empty. I grew up in a third world country myself but I had never seen a depiction of other depressed areas that were as vivid as when I saw this movie. At one point in the movie, I nearly threw up, and I have a strong stomach!
Some people, after seeing this movie, have stated to Danny Boyle, the movie's director, "I'm gonna quit my job and move to India", according to Entertainment Weekly's February 6 issue. However, I'm sure some, in seeing the seemingly cruel treatment of underprivileged adolescents and even infant paupers, as well as the rampant level of corruption shown in the movie, have sworn to never set foot in the city of Mumbai.
Those who grew up in Mumbai, the financial capital of India, may disagree that the movie's portrayal was accurate, and that there are indeed much nicer (and less violent) corners in the city. However, this is the power of the media.
About eight years ago when I first came to the United States, Americans would ask me: "Do you often run into lions and tigers back home?" How can anyone blame them for asking questions like this, when what they see in movies portraying Africa are the exact same things they ask about?
Whether Slumdog Millionaire wins the Best Picture Oscar or not, there is no question that the movie will leave a permanent impression of India on its non-Indian (and maybe even Indian) audience. After having seen this movie, I'm still perplexed as to whether it pays to be a Slumdog or not. You decide.
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