Slumdog Millionaire - Hollywood movie Bollywood views

Slumdog Millionaire (english) as seen by an Indian spectator. Remember, the movie is targeted at a western audience, so its appeal to that audience is decidedly different.

What I liked ...

The story moves at 3 levels - at the police station, at the TV studio and as the main protagonist's unfolding life story. It requires very good direction and editing for a smooth flow. This is where Boyle stands out.

• The performances of the 3 kids and the 3 teens are excellent.
• Frieda (Latika) looks good, she is shown as soft at all ages so the adult part fits in.
• Anil Kapoor was ok, Irfan and Saurabh Shukhla as good as they always are.

Overall the kids were the best actors, the small and teenage Salim and the smaller Jamal esp. stood out for me.

I liked Rahman's music. I am not too deep into understanding the tiny nuances of music. So will not judge it. I liked the instrumentals a bit more.

What I did'nt like...

For an Indian, the dialogues in English make the movie less authentic.

Hollywood comedies have scenes related to puking and worse. It probably appeals to a western sense of humour. Also they have not experienced true poverty for quite some time now. I did not find the autograph scene funny.

Dev Patel (adult Jamal Malik) is a complete miscast. Not his fault. He looks completely middle class throughout and too soft. Other points

• The call center being so dark .. looks odd.
• Policeman chasing the kids deep into the slums. When did they get so motivated?
• Missing to capture positive aspects of Mumbai. Having lived there, I should know.
• The kid dressed as Ram, looks contrived to fit in with the answer.
• The gangster's house with just one chowkidar.
  
• Mahesh Manjrekar does a poor job as one.
  

All in all it was a bit underwhelming, but ok to see once.