Slumdog Millionaire

Slumdog Millionaire is a love story, but it may take a while for you to realize this. It is not a date movie (unless you know your date well and they can handle torture, murder and a kid jumping into an open toilet). While this movie was shot in India with Indian actors, it did not come from Bollywood.

Slumdog Millionaire is the story of Jamal Malik, an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, who has somehow made it onto the Indian version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" After the first day on the show he is doing so well, he is arrested on suspicion of cheating - there is no way a street kid (a slumdog) could know so many answers. To prove his innocence, he tells the harsh story of his life in the slum where he grew up . As the story progresses he reveals how he knows the answer to each of the game shows questions. The stories are harsh and extremely gritty. Along the way we find out he left behind a girl he loved when they had to escape a gang lord who was maiming the kids who worked for him so they could earn more money begging. We also learn that Jamal really has no interest in winning the money, but is hoping the girl he loves will see him on TV and they will be reunited. This is when we finally realize underneath this dark drama lies a love story. I won't tell you any more, but suffice to say you will be on the edge of your seat.