http://blog.jenn-brown.com/2008/10/25/must-see-movie-slumdog-millionaire.aspx
"...the soundtrack is great, too" Must See Movie: Slumdog Millionaire Posted by Jennifer Brown at 10/25/2008 4:19 PM and is filed under Film I have been very bad about updating in this blog lately, and I do apologize. In my defense, I've had several events going on, including two film festivals, a couple of colds, and other things taking up my time, without much burning need to say anything. I have a list of topics to write about, so hopefully I'll be back on track now. At the moment, I do admit I'm fuming about the MPAA damning Slumdog Millionaire with an R rating. Yes there is disturbing themes, I think the overall story is worth seeing, and I doubt those 13 and older would be traumatized on it. The MPAA didn't give Rent an R rating because of it's themes, and I don't find Slumdog Millionaire any less important, in fact, even more so. And the reality is, most of the worst behavior in Slumdog Millionaire is implied, or off-screen. The MPAA is doing a serious disservice to this film and the potential audience, and I don't say that just because I love Danny Boyle's work. This is after all the man that brought us Shallow Grave, Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, and Millions. This is a beautiful, kinetic, ultimately uplifting film that doesn't insult the audience's intelligence with an abundance of heart. It's a near-mythic odyssey of a boy on the fringes of society who manages to reach a pinnacle of celebrity and a change in fortune despite what the world has thrown in his path, including doubt about his ability to get there, yet it never has a false note throughout. It juxtaposes the beauty and ugliness of the human condition and circumstances, and is both tragic and triumphant. It also shows a world beyond our borders, which younger people should be exposed to. It's an amazing movie on many levels, from the acting, to the pacing, and the story. And being a Danny Boyle film, the soundtrack is great, too. Fox Searchlight was brave enough to pick it up for distribution after the enthusiastic response at Telluride and Toronto. Austin Film Festival audience members were so moved that half the orchestra section gave a standing ovation when the credits started; everyone gave a standing ovation when Danny Boyle came back on stage. It's easily my favorite film of the year. I can't wait to see it again, and I know others who also plan on dragging friends to see it as soon as it finally opens (Nov 12).
