Comments on: 1,000,000 Thumbs Up To Slumdog Millionaire

By: Yuxiang Gao

Yuxiang Gao — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 03:51:56 +0000

I watched this movie with Kirk, it is a great movie. The great part about this movie is that the whole money thing is kind of ridiculous in the really world, but when you watch the movie, you could feel it was real.
I and Kirk had some conversation about the main character’s brother.
Though that man is bad guy, but from him, I saw a shining quality called combatant spirit. He used this combatant spirit on the wrong way, but I appreciated his courage.
Compared to the happy ending of the main character, the brother’s ending is that not bad, at least he has tried to make some change in his life and he actually did it

By: Chris Phippen

Chris Phippen — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:32:08 +0000

I haven’t yet seen the movie, but I’ve been planning to, especially after hearing so many positive reviews about it, and now looking at 14 very positive comments above. I’ve paid close attention to Jay’s descriptions of the movie and its value to us for our trip this summer, furthering my desire to see it. I especially like what the post above says about the glass-half-full idea in which you can choose to see a brighter side of things and a bright future or you can choose to play the victim. So true, it is always a choice. Looking forward to seeing the movie!

By: Matthew Perez

Matthew Perez — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:03:10 +0000

Slumdog Millionaire was an excellent movie. From the excellent soundtrack to the well executed choreography, this movie contained everything one could want in a movie. Probably the most intriguing aspect of this movie is that it provides a glimpse into a part of society most people are unfamiliar with. I have been in poor areas of East Los Angeles to visit relatives but the troubles of that area pale in comparison to the living conditions of the slums of Mumbai. How people manage to survive on so little is simply astounding.

Of course, I should not be as surprised as I am. Although my family’s troubles in this country were nothing like that those of the people depicted in Slumdog Millionaire, my family still overcame great adversity to become successful in this country. My grandfather died at a fairly young age, leaving my poor grandmother to watch over her nine children. To earn enough to take care of her children, she worked four jobs at once while forcing her older kids to sell tortillas and tamales door-to-door. Since she could not afford a baby sitter, my grandmother also had her older children watch the younger ones. Despite the tremendous amount of work she needed to do, she always made sure to prepare meals for her children when she could and ensure that her children were getting the education they needed to become successful in America. The fact that she has a grandson pursuing two Master’s programs at a prestigious university is a testament to her success. She may have never become a millionaire like Jamal did in the movie but the value she created for her children is certainly as valuable.

By: Frederick Peemoeller

Frederick Peemoeller — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 01:42:21 +0000

I agree with you that the movie was amazing and it graphically depicts poverty that I have never seen before in my life. Although it shows the level of poverty, I thought it was interesting that many critics in India were taken aback by the movie. They claimed that it was geared towards westerners with its “poverty pornography” and “slum tourism”. They claim that India has more to show that this poverty, which I will agree with but that doesn’t make for a good movie. The one thing I disagree with is the perception of rags to riches in India. It just seems like the chances are a million to one that anyone could live in such impoverished conditions and become a successful and wealthy person. With such a weak infrastructure, it is extremely difficult to make something from nothing, and I doubt many poor Indians feel that the glass is half full.

By: Michael Minasian

Michael Minasian — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:07:29 +0000

When I first saw the trailer for this movie I was very excited. I had been following Dev Patel’s career since long before this movie. When I saw the trailer I looked past the “Who want’s to be a millionaire” angle which seemed like it might cheapen the experience.

Not only was I incredibly excited to see it, but many people had told me that it was great (it soft opened in LA so I didn’t get to see it right when it came out). This is usually a recipe for disaster; when I have extremely high expectations for a movie, it usually never gets close to reaching them. This movie was different. The emotional journey really allows you to connect with all of the characters, and honestly as cheap as it may sound, really piqued my interest in coming to India. I’m sure the reality of India is somewhat different from the movie, but either way it is something that I want to experience.

By: Danielle Steussy

Danielle Steussy — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 20:01:42 +0000

Slumdog Millionaire truly is a gem of a movie. I agree with Michael in the sense, that perhaps one of the greatest aspects of the movie was the cinematography. It was so beautifully and artfully mastered with rich saturated colors, interesting and stunning shot perspectives (like the overhead shot of the slums), and the dynamic music selection. Simply put, I thought this film was an artistic masterpiece and the artistry of the movie led helped create the richness of the story itself. It exuded the culture of the slums and of India while wrapping up a beautiful love story into it all.

By: John Barry

John Barry — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 05:21:22 +0000

I too loved Slumdog Millionaire! Although Danny Boyle was clearly influenced by Fernando Meirele’s hand-crafted formula in “City of God,” of an optimistic do-gooder protagonist surrounded by crime, peril, and A SLUM, I found this movie genuine, heart-warming, and even original. Even though this movie was made by an English-man, it doesnt’ come across as lacking authenticity. The story line is great, the cinematography very beautiful, and the excitement of the world changing around the protagonist almost makes the added excitement prevalent in the movie unnecessary. This film seems to touch all the senses and even allows the viewer to come out feeling a little more cultured.

By: Jay Ponto

Jay Ponto — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:54:46 +0000

I really enjoyed watching this movie! The love story was very well done and centering the movie around the game show was a creative twist. I enjoyed this variety.

I also liked how the movie didn’t hold back showing real corruption and fraudulent conduct that often occurs in third world countries. That’s how life really is for some people, and it is imperative that others are aware of it. I’ve seen many people living in slums in Peru, Ecuador, and China, and “Slumdog Millionaire” reminded me of many images from those countries. The “business” of having beggars further reinforced my personal views of ignoring beggars in foreign places, in hopes of not furthering the development of those abuses. I am no stranger to foreign travel, and anticipating similar scenes upon our trip to India this summer.

By: Kirk Story

Kirk Story — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:21:39 +0000

My India-trip roommate and I watched Slumdog Millionaire and it was a great movie. I was expecting a ‘rags to riches story,’ but was surprised to discover the movie is actually a love story. And holy-moly- the woman that Jamal devotes his life to is ridiculously attractive. Wow.

It is difficult to imagine a violent India. Everyone I meet from the country is friendly, peaceful, and accepting. I wonder how much of this violence is hyped for entertainment purposes. Blinding children so they become more profitable beggars is shocking and creepy. Violence is ugly, but when Jamal’s brother, Salim, blasted Maman through a pillow- my roommate and I were fist-pumping like champs.

Slumdog Millionaire’s soundtrack was exotic and well put together. The cinematography for the film was also amazing; it often replicated the stark contrasts of extreme that appear to define India.
Kirk Story

By: Catherine Kristensen

Catherine Kristensen — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 02:18:50 +0000

My husband and I saw this movie in early 2009 after taking the GMAT together. At that point, Business School in general - especially the potential Cal Poly trip to India - seemed very far off. I know I would watch this movie from a much different perspective today knowing that a trip to India is in my near future…

I haven’t decided if I will watch this movie again before our trip, but I can say that I look forward to seeing the movie again later this year after returning from India. You always notice new things when you see a movie for the 2nd (or 3rd, 4th, etc) time; I am sure after traveling in India I will catch so much more of this film. It is exciting to imagine that we will soon be at the Taj Mahal, site of one of my favorite “Slumdog” scenes, and will also visit the Mumbai train station (where the final dance scene was filmed).

I think that the decision to end this film with the upbeat, musical/dance scene was vital to its success (and I don’t just mean the song’s Billboard success and “Best Song” Oscar win). The happy nature of the ending allows you to walk away from the film on a good note, rather than with the dark final image of Salim, dead in a bathtub full of cash.

The themes of friendship, love and destiny prevail in this film, allowing you to focus on the good instead of the poverty, corruption and destitution.