-Won the Academy Award for Best Director (Danny Boyle), Best Editing (Chris Dickens), Best Cinematography (Anthony Dod Mantle), Best Original Score (A.R. Rahman), Best Original Song (A.R. Rahman for "Jai Ho"), Best Sound (Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke, Resul Pookutty).
-Other nominations include: Best Original Song (A.R. Rahman for "O Saya"), Best Sound Editing (Tom Sayers and Glenn Freemantle).
Geoff Review:
My initial reaction to this movie complicated: I was entertained, I was underwhelmed, I felt for the characters, but I also didn't feel enough. I just don't have that strong of a reaction. There are things that stick out to you when you really enjoyed a movie: A particular scene, how it was acted or written, or how the story was constructed. I enjoyed the premise of going through the game show, question by question, and seeing how Dev Patel's character had some sort of personal experienced centered around his brother and his long lost love that led him to the answer. However, I was aware of this premise going into the movie, from accounts of people talking about it or other TV shows referencing it. Because of this, I can't really say that I was impressed by it.
There are several things I liked about this movie: I liked the twist of the Dev Patel not taking the Millionaire host's advice and saying the opposite answer to what he fed him. Also, I was particularly impressed by the quality of the acting by kids during the flashbacks. Usually I find myself rolling my eyes when watching children try to act, but in this film that managed to pull it off.
The acting by the grown actors, such as Dev, Freida Pinto, Madhur Mittal is nothing to write home about. As for the love story, I guess you can feel for the two longing to be with each other. But such a long time had passed between visits for those two, I just didn't find it plausible, especially since they didn't exactly grow all the way up together. They only spent a little time together, and then grew up in separate places. I'm not that sold that they only loved each other for that whole time. Maybe that's just my opinion.
Don't get me wrong, I liked this movie. However, maybe it was the high expectations, or maybe it was I've seen a handful of scenes before sitting down to watch the whole thing; but I didn't walk away from it raving about it. It was a very solid flick, with a quality, not-too-sappy love story, which was told in an unique and captivating way. All the requirements seem to be there, and I figure that's why I felt so conflicted when the film concluded. Honestly, I thought I would like it more. I just didn't.
Acting: Very well done, especially impressed with the kids
Story: Was able to tell the story of characters through clever use of jumping back and forth from a well known TV game show.
Directing: Excellent job.
Music/Soundtrack: I need to start paying more attention to the music during these movies, yet another movie where nothing really jumped out to me, only for me to find that it won the academy award for best original score and best original song.
Editing: Crucial aspect of this film due to the constant jumping back and forth. Well done
Costumes: Seemed about right. I did like how they made Freida Pinto's character wear yellow, but other than that, , no real critiques.
Screenplay: No real line sticks out to me. I am not walking away from this film saying to myself wow that was a great line or that was well written.
Geoff Overall Grade: B+ (89/100)
