tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post7764324804074964358..comments2024-01-27T00:19:36.912-08:00Comments on Coleman's Corner in Cinema...: Slumdog Millionaire (2008)Coleman's Corner in Cinema...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04761319284479513957noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-51804097344070351632009-03-02T17:20:00.000-08:002009-03-02T17:20:00.000-08:00Thank you for pointing that out, Dr. I just read t...Thank you for pointing that out, Dr. I just read that story myself. <BR/><BR/>Fittingly, I just saw this film again a couple of days ago. I still found it engrossing on a second viewing. It was fun to listen to people react to certain scenes all over again.Coleman's Corner in Cinema...https://www.blogger.com/profile/04761319284479513957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-45312483120339826212009-03-02T13:42:00.000-08:002009-03-02T13:42:00.000-08:00salman rushdie dubs slumdog ridiculoussalman rushdie dubs slumdog ridiculousAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-46647628620824306682009-02-01T09:29:00.000-08:002009-02-01T09:29:00.000-08:00Thank you, Alison. I certainly was rather enthusia...Thank you, Alison. I certainly was rather enthusiastic about it, in terms of its successfully crowd-pleasing nature, especially. It's a case of a film that manipulates the audience from the start to the finish but it was so well crafted and formed, I did not mind the manipulation.<BR/><BR/>I agree that the acting, and especially of the two "young adults," is not its strong suit. I understand the point others have made, like you, about the lack of chemistry between the two. As I have written, though, it's one rare example of a love story not depending on its actors' chemistry to work (though I had grave problems with <I>Cold Mountain</I> and <I>Troy</I> among many other "recent" films for this flaw). That said, not everyone will agree.<BR/><BR/>Thank you for the kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed the film despite your problems with it. I hope to see it again very soon, as its indomitable status as Best Picture frontrunner leaves it open for greater criticism and "backlash." I particularly want to see it again before I come up with my Top Ten. I'm finding that with so many other films, this one is very vulnerable to not making it. Though I still like much of the film, even two and a half months later. So it will be interesting to take another look.Coleman's Corner in Cinema...https://www.blogger.com/profile/04761319284479513957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-29987521629012637212009-01-31T22:02:00.000-08:002009-01-31T22:02:00.000-08:00Nice review, Alexander. I finally saw this today, ...Nice review, Alexander. I finally saw this today, and although I did enjoy the movie I didn't have the enthusiastic response that you and so many others had.<BR/><BR/>In many ways the film is very well-crafted. Boyle really captured the flavor and feel and rhythm of Mumbai and I must agree with you that he used the non-linear timeline style so effectively; moreso than we've seen in a very long time. In fact, that's one of its strongest points. Also, the kids were terrific.<BR/><BR/>I didn't buy the love story at all. It was a superficial and weak aspect of the movie, and in a way that detracted from it. For me anyway. And I agree with the commenter above who said that there was no chemistry between the two.<BR/><BR/>Great job on the write-up though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-19399879508373265232008-12-24T10:10:00.000-08:002008-12-24T10:10:00.000-08:00Beautiful film and beautiful review.This is the be...Beautiful film and beautiful review.<BR/><BR/>This is the best film website I've found. Your knowledge not just of cinema but seemingly everyythin is amazing to me. Are you really in your 20's?!?!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-20825602836288849962008-12-23T01:12:00.000-08:002008-12-23T01:12:00.000-08:00And so I thank Tony, Sam, K. Bowen, Joel and every...And so I thank Tony, Sam, K. Bowen, Joel and everyone else who visits CCC, including you. :-)Coleman's Corner in Cinema...https://www.blogger.com/profile/04761319284479513957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-75864045746118785532008-12-23T01:11:00.000-08:002008-12-23T01:11:00.000-08:00Yes, Moses, you are most correct about this and ot...Yes, Moses, you are most correct about this and other discussions here. It's an unquestionably rewarding aspect of blogging.Coleman's Corner in Cinema...https://www.blogger.com/profile/04761319284479513957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-86018551269580677652008-12-22T23:58:00.000-08:002008-12-22T23:58:00.000-08:00Yes. The discussion here is very interesting. Sam ...Yes. The discussion here is very interesting. Sam Juliano and Joel E and Tony D'Ambra among others must be thanked for helping to make this such an exciting place to discuss movies. <BR/><BR/>Like some others I was hoping for more chemistry between the leads but Alexander presents an altogether arresting case for why it actually wouldnt fit in the fairy tale Danny Boyle was going for. I'm interested in seeing this again like Alexander adn Im sure others.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-37589348856808605392008-12-22T12:09:00.000-08:002008-12-22T12:09:00.000-08:00Indeed, discourse such as this is only to be encou...Indeed, discourse such as this is only to be encouraged! :)Coleman's Corner in Cinema...https://www.blogger.com/profile/04761319284479513957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-62669936936720101062008-12-22T08:32:00.000-08:002008-12-22T08:32:00.000-08:00Joel, beautifully-stated opinion there, I am hard-...Joel, beautifully-stated opinion there, I am hard-pressed to say anything when one expresses oneself as well as you did here. I guess this is just one of those instances where the material can affect people so differently. But i know you are not alone by making that claim of the chemistry lacking with the central characters.<BR/><BR/> Tony, as I said at WitD, your position is deeply-respected, and although i feel otherwise, I can respect teh conclusions you reached with your special quality-acumen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-66983659464682280222008-12-21T10:13:00.000-08:002008-12-21T10:13:00.000-08:00Thank you very much, Joel. Yes, the continually ic...Thank you very much, Joel. <BR/><BR/>Yes, the continually icy relations between India and Pakistan were not at the forefront of the narrative, though they are indirectly hinted at in the Muslim-Hindu violence and turmoil. <BR/><BR/>Again, I think KB's point about the adult leads not sharing much in the way of chemistry is largely true. I do believe that if the film were more "realistic," as Moses suggested, it would have most certainly needed a far greater return on the investment of those two performers. As is, the foreordained quality of the narrative diminishes any significantly problematic issues for me but I can easily see where others would disagree.<BR/><BR/>One aspect I have not seen many write or talk about is the extension of Boyle's themes--and, like you mention here, his storytelling techniques and devices. Sad to report that I have <I>still</I> not seen <I>Reprise</I>. Grr.<BR/><BR/>Thanks again, Joel, you state your case with great lucidity. And I am happy to hear that some issues notwithstanding you found it to be a good movie.Coleman's Corner in Cinema...https://www.blogger.com/profile/04761319284479513957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-44512703124849584372008-12-21T10:06:00.000-08:002008-12-21T10:06:00.000-08:00I think I'm somewhere between you and KB on Slumdo...I think I'm somewhere between you and KB on Slumdog, Alexander (great review by the way). I liked Boyle's storytelling better than KB (I think) but I thought the chemistry between the main characters was weak and the second half of the movie slowly lost steam for me as the characters grew older and their roles in the narrative became more cliche.<BR/><BR/>I can easily see how this would grab folks and there were some folks cheering in my theater during the inevitable climax, but it didn't really move me to the same degree.<BR/><BR/>I can't deny that Boyle is an incredibly talented director. In fact, I think his style and talent is beginning to find converts in Europe. Reprise and Son of Rambow are two of the best cinematic experiences I've had this year (albeit on the small screen) and both owe huge debts to Boyle's style.<BR/><BR/>As you imply, I also found it interesting that Boyle use's Jamal's narrative as a loose biopic of the last 20 years of India, detailing the Hindu/Islamic violence and rapid economic growth that have routinely been India's story since the 80's. The only thing he leaves out is India's continuing cold war with Pakistan (<BR/>which isn't really germane to the story anyway).<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I wish I liked this one as much as you and Sam, but I still thought it was a good movie.Joel Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00636742605684472108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-2854592635075937022008-12-21T09:10:00.000-08:002008-12-21T09:10:00.000-08:00Tony, thank you so much for the thorough and entir...Tony, thank you so much for the thorough and entirely honest appraisal. Also, I sincerely thank you for the very kind remarks.<BR/><BR/>I understand what you are saying, however. Other people have had difficulty embracing the film's narrative, confronted as they are by the grave horrors and encompassing hopelessness that doubtless surrounds the protagonists. <BR/><BR/>Taken as strictly a sociocultural and sociopolitical examination, the film would have to be considered absurd and nonsensical. However, as a story based in fanciful fairytale archetypes, the film--for me--capably transcended the sad, oppressed roots from which the hero's journey emanates.<BR/><BR/>As in all matters, I emphatically respect your opinion, and in this instance, differing take. Thank you for being so kind as to highlight a certain part of the review and examining it through your own considerations.<BR/><BR/>And I must confess, I could have done without the thumping Bollywood MTV conclusion, though by the ending I was forgiving of such a theoretically <I>outre</I> choice with which to close the picture.Coleman's Corner in Cinema...https://www.blogger.com/profile/04761319284479513957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-10862083210519586932008-12-21T02:23:00.000-08:002008-12-21T02:23:00.000-08:00Alexander, Slumdog opened here last week and I saw...Alexander, Slumdog opened here last week and I saw it on Friday night. Having looked up your post today I must say that this is a stellar review. You capture the essential kinetic energy of the movie. As I said in commenting on Sam's post at Witd, the movie is a dazzling cinematic experience, with the cinematography, the editing, and the sound production as integral as the inspired direction. You have also mounted a strong argument against claims of manipulation and unreality. I can understand anyone loving the movie unreservedly.<BR/><BR/>The observation you make in the following extract is brilliant and has given me a much fuller understanding of the sequence:<BR/><BR/>"In one scintillating sequence, the two very young brothers, Jamal and Salim, run from the authorities of their neighbourhood, speedily scampering through the maze-like vicinity. Boyle's camera bounces as it follows, but then resorts to a bird's eye overhead shot. A second and a half later, the shot widens, going further back; and then it retracts again, capturing the entire slum area with profoundly widespread significance. This, Boyle gently but convincingly instructs, is a national tale, one embedded in the very fiber of the nation of India."<BR/><BR/>I desperately want to love the movie unreservedly, but I have to be honest and say that as I watched the suffering and degradation of life in the slums, I began to feel enormously guilty as if I was not entitled to be thrilled by the phantasmagoria unfolding on the screen. You love the protagonists, but what about the countless other children who are dealt a losing hand?<BR/><BR/>And towards the end I started to feel more uneasy. The ‘quiz show that stopped the nation’ trope seemed imposed and corny, and the resolution too clichéd. The genuine pathos of the older brother Samil’s sacrifice is lost in the 'love conquers all' ending, and the 'MTV' coda at the end feels tacky.Tony D'Ambrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359495250856189815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-36027834304121746322008-12-17T15:03:00.000-08:002008-12-17T15:03:00.000-08:00Wow... Thank you very much for the highly friendly...Wow... Thank you very much for the highly friendly and kind remarks, Anonymous, Ben, Allan and Tim.<BR/><BR/>Allan: thanks for the very generous compliment. Quite the interesting point about there possibly being "too much of The Fully Monty" in the storyline. <BR/><BR/>Tim: I know what you mean. It's always such a wonderment, to find oneself completely under the spell of a film, so quickly in its running time. This one pulled me into "the tank for it," too. Like I've said in this thread before, I look forward to revisiting it.Coleman's Corner in Cinema...https://www.blogger.com/profile/04761319284479513957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-35022520716000162132008-12-17T14:36:00.000-08:002008-12-17T14:36:00.000-08:00wow, this is everything you said it was. Great mov...wow, this is everything you said it was. <BR/><BR/>Great movie. I went in trying to not set myself up for too high expectations but in a minute I was in the tank for it all the way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-14947300476794166872008-12-17T09:37:00.000-08:002008-12-17T09:37:00.000-08:00I thought this was a very good film, and it did sh...I thought this was a very good film, and it did show -as Sam says-a return to the kinetic style that we love Danny Boyle for, but I must confess there may have too much of The Full Monty in this storyline. I thought the movie was solid, but not 5 stars solid, I think 4. Can't see how one could write a better review the film though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-35641472647855415172008-12-16T18:52:00.000-08:002008-12-16T18:52:00.000-08:00Just saw this movie! What a movie. Danny Boyle is ...Just saw this movie! What a movie. Danny Boyle is awesome. Your review is amazing. Like Daniel says you end it brilliantly and like Anon says you start it brilliantly. Also dug the 'sociopolitical' aspects you point to. Interesting that you saw this and wrote the review before the attacks in Mumbai. Wonder what you'd think seeing it again after that horror.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-70185119646835866912008-12-16T17:28:00.000-08:002008-12-16T17:28:00.000-08:00Best. Opening Paragraph. Ever.Awesome review. The ...Best. Opening Paragraph. Ever.<BR/><BR/>Awesome review. The best I've seen any where in a long time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-83775938669263449472008-12-14T02:31:00.000-08:002008-12-14T02:31:00.000-08:00Thanks for the very kind words, Moses.I understand...Thanks for the very kind words, Moses.<BR/><BR/>I understand what you are saying. However, I don't think it's a love story/relationship tale based on chemistry in the way a Bogart/Baccall picture would be, for instance; it's not about chemistry, but about "destiny," as the film persistently posits. The tale is "written," etceteras.<BR/><BR/>On that score (and others) I believe it was most successful. It's fundamentally a fairytale, and as such the chain of narrative events is simple and starkly mounted, with our hero falling in love with the girl and pursuing that image to the ends of the world.<BR/><BR/>In that way, it's more expressionistic, and less "realistic," than <I>Rocky</I>--to take just one example--which gradually built its fairly gritty emotional relationships, including the central love story, through a graduate, if predictable, series of sequences. This fits with the entire visual schema, and unfolding arc, but I will admit I can see how it would not work for everyone. I am interested in seeing this again myself to see what my reaction to a second experience with this picture is.Coleman's Corner in Cinema...https://www.blogger.com/profile/04761319284479513957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-82788123505733310612008-12-14T02:24:00.000-08:002008-12-14T02:24:00.000-08:00Alexander, now that you're back, I just wanted to ...Alexander, now that you're back, I just wanted to take you up on this. I enjoyed this to a significant degree but I found certain parts of it troubling. Probably the worst thing is that there is almost no chemistry between the "lovers" and I think that cripples any love story. <BR/><BR/>But your review is truly awesome. It actually gives me the rush I wish the movie had. Though again it's a good movie.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-66010962117335651602008-11-28T16:04:00.000-08:002008-11-28T16:04:00.000-08:00Thank you, Pat, I hope you enjoy it when you see i...Thank you, Pat, I hope you enjoy it when you see it and report back here. :-)Coleman's Corner in Cinema...https://www.blogger.com/profile/04761319284479513957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-80745412223565118452008-11-28T14:57:00.000-08:002008-11-28T14:57:00.000-08:00Alexander -This review has me very excited - "Slum...Alexander -<BR/><BR/>This review has me very excited - "Slumdog Millionaire" just opened here today, and I am anxious to see it. Thanks for another fine post.Patricia Perryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15394997608325540950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-17113099195543341002008-11-26T11:46:00.000-08:002008-11-26T11:46:00.000-08:00Thank you for the very kind words, Daniel. This is...Thank you for the very kind words, Daniel. This is quite an exhilarating piece of cinema in my opinion, naturally.<BR/><BR/>Yes, I kept thinking of it as a meticulous "bio-pic" (sorry, Craig Kennedy, wherever you are!) and what a shattering change in the "formula" of such, hm? <BR/><BR/>I'll be sure to look at your review whenever I find a spare few minutes, Daniel, which should be sometime this Thanksgiving weekend. Gosh, I'm tired of being busy.Coleman's Corner in Cinema...https://www.blogger.com/profile/04761319284479513957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-57670330327640127792008-11-26T10:46:00.000-08:002008-11-26T10:46:00.000-08:00Well I finally finished mine, and here I am, celeb...Well I finally finished mine, and here I am, celebrating it along with everyone else. You really killed it with your last paragraph - few movies make you want to stand up and cheer like this.<BR/><BR/>I also really like the idea of Slumdog as a "biopic". I didn't even think about it in that sense. <BR/><BR/>KB, I appreciate your honesty in not getting caught up in the madness. For what it's worth, I thought The Namesake was one of the best movies of last year as well.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05222052132452709301noreply@blogger.com