Anne Taylor Robertson Blog 14: Slumdog Millionaire

Slumdog Millionaire was another Oscar-winner a few years ago. This striking film uses colorful effects and the use of a shaky camera to make the viewer feel the action of the film. It feels like a documentary to watch. This is a compelling story of a boy growing up in India who ends up by luck (and genuine intelligence) onto the final round of India’s Jeopardy. Because of the socio-political state of the nation at that time, the boy was abused growing up and orphaned with his brother at a very young age. They creatively make their way through adolescence and into adulthood where they end up splitting up from a serious disagreement. The experience on Jeopardy brings them back into love and a sense of family after more tragic events occur. This may seem like an underdog story, and it is in some senses, but the true suffering that these boys have to go through and the reality of it in India makes this movie so much more than a Cinderella story. Their courage, loyalty and compassion is the stuff that changes people’s minds because they see something different. The documentary-quality of the writing makes the film that much more impressive and realistic, shedding light on the conditions of India.