so after being pestered by my friends for the umpteenth time, i finally went and saw “slumdog millionaire”.

it was different from what i expected – less bollywood, more “city of god”. the colors are supersaturated, the cinematography is brisk, the editing is frenetic. the end result is edgy, but more like a nifty mtv video than a hardcore, trainspotting-style, danny boyle film.

most of the film is a handheld marathon through the slums of india. we witness non-stop injustice and brutality through the eyes of two orphaned brothers living on the edges of india’s highly stratified society. some have accused the film of being “poverty porn” – the inappropriate glamorization of crushing destitution. in any case, the cruel negligence and violence with which we treat our poor in south asia rang true. i was captivated but not moved.

my 13 year old son found the happy ending a bit over the top but i have to say that i welcomed the relief, even the bollywood dance at the end!

the final credits are some of the swankiest i’ve ever seen and the music by a.r. rahman is riveting.