The disclaimer first. Slumdog is an entertaining, fast paced, slickly shot masala film that makes for good entertainment.
What it does not seem to be is a world beating Indian film that showcases the best of Indian cinema. Anil Kapoor’s cameo is less ill equipped to capture the range of ex-pressions of India”s best leading men then Freida Pinto’s glimpse is to underline the depth of experience of our leading ladies but neither are as futile as Irrfan’s English Dramatics special appearance. So why are we frothing at the lips and deliriously waiting for the Oscars to unfold?
To SDM’s credit, and surprisingly unacknowleged in all press I have seen about the movie, I don’t think it sweats the poverty angle to titillate a western eye yet again. I think, as my close friend Ahmed(z) said, that SDM is ultimately a fantastic movie about the underdog. Its ROCKY all over again in 2009. Only this time the adversary is poverty, which India seems quite well placed to offer as a backdrop. Except for that little fact, the movie is all about an underdog’s rise and eventual victory under seemingly unsurmountable circumstances. Its an inspiring story about how unwavering ambition, combined with perceptiveness, good use of common sense and bold decision making can swing things your way, even if life tries to drown in you in a pile of shit.
So, for the better or for the worse, there isn’t much that India can take credit for from the film. I must confess the background score is terrific. I am not very good with technicalities so i’m not sure if its pookutty’s sound design or rehman or who to congratulate for that but i certainly don’t think Jai Ho is the miracle creation that it is being made out to be; its certainly far from Rehman’s best
You know the bright side of all of this? I think SDM just reinforces… at the end of the day, the Oscars, like any blatant true blue film awards, is more about hype than true substance. Not to say that substance is not important, but its only necessary and not succificient - hype is key. And the bright side? Since SDM is NOT made of the substance it appeared to have been made of, its obvious the hype thats working.
And that means, the Oscars are coming. Boyle oh Boyle!
And oh, before I forget, even if the answer to ‘How many Oscars did SDM win?’ In the next season of KBC is ‘D - none of the above’ I assure you people who gape at television screens at busy electronic showrooms in Juhu galli will know the contestant answered last week; that the show is not telecast live.
Jai Ho!
- Anil
Posted in Movies.
By Anil Goel
– January 28, 2009
I too believe Jai Ho isn”t all that great. Great article. Incidentally, I am writing on a day that SDM has just won 8 oscars. What a coincidence to come across ur article today of all days! It’’s an open secret that the Oscars, just like any other award which is handed by a human jury, does not always go to the most deserving.
Agree with you completely! Even on Jai Ho! And yes it does mean that Oscars is also just one of those.