"a rare cinematic experience"

Although Slumdog Millionaire may not sound like much at first glance, I can assure you that it is not only infinitely better than the basic premise make it sound, it is quite possibly the most crowd-pleasing film to emerge in recent months. While it tells a story filled with pain, hurt and betrayal, it does so in such a joyful and exciting manner that I can't imagine anyone not responding to its charms.

To my surprise, Slumdog Millionaire is very tasteful in almost every respect. The romantic scenes are beautifully understated. The film as well features terrific acting from all of its cast, especially Dev Patel who plays the oldest incarnation of Jamal. The character formation is very strong, and the editing is superb. It keeps you on the edge for the full duration. The logic and sequencing is top-notch which makes the film believable. Its one of the few films that does not rely on abusive language or useless skin showing to gather attention. It relies on a pure cinematic experience.

The real star of the film is the city of Mumbai which is gorgeously brought to life by Boyle's expert eye. The overcrowded slums breathe energy into the film's atmosphere as the cameras careen in and out of the narrow streets of Mumbai's shantytowns. The city is characterised by extremes that define and parallel Jamal's life.

A sure bet for the Best Picture Oscar, and also likely to go down as a classic, Slumdog Millionaire is a cinematic festivity. Once the end credits stop rolling, the film plants a seed in your head that won't go away easily.