The one Friday B and I took off, I said I have been hearing so much about this movie, I should check it out. So we went for this movie.It was like watching any other Hindi movie to me. I had not idea about the story line - only about the awards and nominations. So I had loads of expectations about it. I appreciated the realism in portrayal of the life in an Indian slum. One can feel the pains of the two boys and live the journey of life with them. Excellent job by the director in choosing the actors to play different ages of these characters. Jamal and Salim - especially did great.
What I loved most about the movie is how each question in the show has a relevance to Jamal's life and how that is explained using flash back. It was thrilling to watch that connection, including the last question - when I loved the look of his face when he realizes he does not know the name of the Third musketeer.Ironical, but believable! Same thing with the fact that his lover cannot help him with his lifeline question. Possible, indeed!
Police capturing Jamal and torturing him did not really sound convincing me. It just feels like a means to unfold the story - Jamal has to tell it someone, so director picked this inspector.
At the end of the movie, what B and I were left thinking is - what is so great about this movie? It is just a well made movie, but could not see it being exceptional. May be the fact that the director is not from India makes it special. But even ARR's music - we have seen/heard so many of his albums better than this. The BGM was catchy and suited the moods of the scenes. I really disliked the song Jai Ho popping up - even though I liked the song, I felt it really made the movie's value go down with the girl and guy dancing. Why should the Indian movie always have a song like this? It is like reiterating to international audience that Indian movies should have this kind of a song. The movie would have fine without it.
I enjoyed the movie, but felt like we became victims to the hyped up publicity around awards. Was not super thrilled!
