While there's a lot of small films playing during the IFFR, there's also some big-budget blockbusters like Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire playing. The story is about a teen who grew up in the slums in India and is a contestant on the Indian Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Because he knows all the answers he is arrested under suspicion of cheating, but while he is interrogated he explains why he knows all the answers. He tells the interrogaters his life history.
Slumdog Millionaire has a highly original concept, but there is many flaws in the script. There is hardly any character development, and that's also the reason why the characters are unconvincing. For example, the love relationship between the main characters is unclear, there is no contact, and no reason why they would go through so much trouble for eachother. It is a love story without romance. Another point in the script is that the story is so plausible. It's obvious the writers have a wide imagination, but there is so much coincidence and drama in the main character's life that it just seems fake.
While the first part of the film is similar to City of God, in terms of story and editing, the second part is a love story filled with cliches. Where the young actors are convincing in their growing up in the Mumbai slums, the teen protagonist is stiff and unconvincing. But even weaker is the ending, the only place where one can still get away with it is in a bad Bollywood film. Which is exactly what Boyle has made.
** (out of 5)
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