Slumdog Push-Back?
"Though Slumdog Millionaire has a hoary plot device, the kind of narrative armature that could have come out of the vaults of Warner Brothers five decades ago, the ability of Danny Boyle to find both the movie and the humanity in that story make it a tough Oscar competitor," says N.Y. Times Oscar guy David Carr, a.k.a., "the Bagger."
"[Still], the more Slumdog Millionaire rolls, the harder the push-back will get. Nothing is writ. And it won't be long before we start hearing, 'Sure, it was a darling movie, a surprise really, but that third act? Please.'"
That's exactly the opposite view I have of Slumdog Millionaire. It's a buzz-kick movie but also a rough one to get through because of all the cruelty and violence visited upon the lead character (played in his adult years by Dev Patel) in the first and second acts. It's hard, it's a chore, but then along comes that third act and the film starts to sing. The third act saves it, and the train-station finale knocks it out of the park .
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on December 8, 2008 at 4:01 PM
comment #1
actionman
says ...
I am finally seeing Slumdog this weekend. I cannot wait.
Posted by actionman
at December 8, 2008 4:20 PM
comment #2
Phatang!
says ...
"Hard at its core?" No. Carr is on the money, in the sense that S$M turns a brutal life of orphaned poverty into something "darling."
Posted by Phatang!
at December 8, 2008 4:37 PM
comment #3
EDouglas
says ...
I expect it to sweep the critics' awards this coming week.
Posted by EDouglas
at December 8, 2008 5:01 PM
comment #4
Mark
says ...
The message of the movie and the answer to the initial question is a HUGE problem as it conflicts with my favorite movie line of all time, as said by Lawrence of Arabia.
Posted by Mark
at December 8, 2008 5:12 PM
comment #5
Chase Kahn
says ...
My emotions during the film couldn't be more contrary to what Carr is saying -- I found the first 90 minutes brilliant, before the Disney fairtale quality takes over/surfaces.
Posted by Chase Kahn
at December 8, 2008 5:51 PM
comment #6
Chase Kahn
says ...
*fairytale*
Posted by Chase Kahn
at December 8, 2008 5:51 PM
comment #7
Ben C
says ...
Christ, the raves and backlashes and backlash backlashes and turnarounds on this one are wilder and more internecine than even Mamet's loopiest scripts.
And the fucker hasn't even come out in this neck of the woods yet.
Posted by Ben C
at December 8, 2008 6:22 PM
comment #8
p.Vice
says ...
Humanity? This is just outrageous. Watch Phantom India if you want some fucking humanity and leave corporate propaganda like Slumdog in the shitter where it starts (and should have stayed).
Posted by p.Vice
at December 8, 2008 8:02 PM
comment #9
K. Bowen
says ...
It's all kinda not-so-great, but the last third in particular is troublesome. Aside from the fairy tale feeling, there just isn't much chemistry between Patel and Pinto.
I don't think it's a good film, but I don't hold any great hostility toward it. But I'm shocked that it might be sweeping critics awards. It sure as heck isn't a good enough film to be doing that. Isn't some group going to name Man on Wire the best film of the year?
Posted by K. Bowen
at December 8, 2008 10:28 PM
comment #10
buckzollo
says ...
Wells, I just saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. How can your site not already be CCBB 24/7? A while back you were talking about your inner best picture compass being off, anyway CCBB is it?! WTF? Amazing effort, incredible movie, . Mos def the front runner.
Posted by buckzollo
at December 9, 2008 1:56 AM
comment #11
lucky
says ...
I liked Slumdog, but for me it fell short of the hype. I saw Benjamin Button and loved it. The reality of our times are so harsh and perilous it was nice to see a movie that was pure escapism. Its the rare movie I can see again.
Posted by lucky
at December 9, 2008 9:21 AM
comment #12
ZayTonday
says ...
I feel that Button is the frontrunner as well, but I also agree with Wells's opinion of Slumdog.. The whole reason I love it is precisely because of that 3rd act and the train station finale.
Posted by ZayTonday
at December 9, 2008 11:53 AM
comment #13
belstaff
says ...
UGG Boots
UGG Boots UK
Cheap UGG Boots
Belstaff
Belstaff Jackets
Belstaff Iron Jackets
Moncler Shop
Moncler Jackets Outlet
Moncler Jackets
Moncler Stores
Uggs Outlet
Ugg Boots Sale
ugg boots outlet store
Cheap UGG Boots
UGGs Outlet
UGG Boots UK
UGG Boots
Posted by belstaff
at December 10, 2010 5:58 PM
comment #14
janee
says ...
Si vous etes interesses par le dossier, ou desirez en savoir plus, contactez-moi par mail, et je vous mettrai en contact.
Best regards,Jane, CEO of high availability clustering
Posted by janee
at May 19, 2011 3:37 AM