Slumdog Millionaire

The movie Slumdog Millionaire is finally out on DVD! I was lucky to be able to go see it at the local theater, but for those of you who didn't, I strongly encourage you to see this movie!

It won 8 Academy Awards including Best Picture.

It's the story of a young man who is a contestant on the Hindu version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire. During the film, he looks back on his life, showing how he knew the answers to the questions. It's the story of Jamal and his brother Salim, and Jamal's love Latika.

It's also a story of incredible brutality. Many of the scenes are truly hard to watch, mostly because there is truth to them! These things actually happen, or have happened! There is some violence in this movie. Unthinkable things happen even to small children. It is at some points incredibly heartbreaking. This is NOT a movie to take your young children to, though teens can handle it. Actually, I would encourage parents to take their teens to see this movie so they can learn how life is in other countries. It makes me so glad to live in a country where even when you are poor, you have so much more than these children!

Mostly though, the movie is about Jamal and his irrepressible spirt, and his faithfulness and love for a woman who he never forgets and still hopes beyond hope to be with again,...
...Latika, who he has loved since they were about 7 or 8. The children in this movie are portrayed by children actually living in the slums in Mumbai (or Bombay to those of us who are older). You will fall in love with these children, I swear!

The reason that Jamal goes on TV on Who Wants to be a Millionaire is because he hopes Latika will see it and contact him.

Does he succeed? Will they be reunited? Does she still love him too?

You'll just have to watch to see!

I love the music in this movie. My favorite is at the end of the film where they are dancing, Bollywood style.

Well, as many times as I've tried, I still haven't figured out how to add a video from YouTube, so if you want to see the video, click here.

The Pussycat Dolls also made their own version of the song in English. It's not too bad and also includes the original singer from India in their version. You can find that one here.

I love the videos because they are so full of energy and exuberance and happiness!