'Millionaire' provides heart-wrenching glimpse of India's poor

By Kelly McGarey

The idea of a day at the theater, sipping soda and munching on popcorn at the afternoon matinee is an iconic example of American escapism. When we go to the movies, we tend to migrate towards comedies that make us laugh, romances that make us cry, and action flicks packed with explosions and gore. It is unusual in this day in age to see a film that doesn't just entertain the viewer, but causes them to examine their own beliefs and change their opinions on important moral issues. Thankfully, a cinematic treasure has hit screens across America, in the form of the tale of a game show contestant competing for the chance of a lifetime.

Now, this idea doesn't seem at all revolutionary. Everyday we watch reality TV shows where we see average people winning millions of dollars for answering a trivia question correctly, or hitting a note at just the right pitch. Their rags-to-riches stories give us hope that one day; we too might be given the chance to stand out.

However, this film is quite unlike any of the shows we watch on primetime TV. Instead of taking place in America, the movie is set in India. In true Bollywood style, the game-show's host is flashy, animated, and a bit over the top. The set is glitzy and the prize is enticing, attracting millions of interested viewers from across the country.

Amidst the glamour of the popular Mumbai show, the film's protagonist, a teenager named Jamal, feels very out of place. He is the only contestant who is not a professional, and is the youngest person to ever be on the show. He is also a 'slumdog,' who, having grown up in the poorest of the city's neighborhoods, seems out of place in such an academic setting.

Once the show's network becomes aware of Jamal's background, they become convinced that he is somehow cheating the system. They call in the police who savagely beat and torture the boy in hopes of discovering his dishonest method of learning the answers to the trivia questions. However, it soon becomes apparent that Jamal has nothing to hide, as he answers his interrogators truthfully and tells them the harrowing story of his life.

Although he had no education, life in the slums equipped him with the knowledge he needed to survive. After his parent's murder, Jamal is forced to roam the streets of Mumbai with his brother. Soon after they begin their travels, they meet a young girl named Latkima. At this fateful moment, her destiny becomes entangled with Jamal's as the children make a pact to look after each other for the rest of their lives.

The subsequent part of the movie chronicles the development of their passionate, yet heart-breaking romance. Although terrible circumstances tear them apart, the pair always seems to find a way to reunite. While following them on their journey, the audience is treated to breath-taking scenes of India. It is also given an eye-opening look at the lifestyle of India's poorest citizens, a population that the world usually chooses to ignore.

Slumdog Millionaire is truly one of the best films of 2008. It's engaging story and important message that love, not money, is the true source of happiness provides a good lesson for our wealth-obsessed society. The unexpected look at India's slums and the painful tale of a survivor helps to humanize its inhabitants and cause the audience to empathize with their plight.

By Alan Weintraut |  January 12, 2009; 12:54 PM ET
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