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"Slumdog millionaire" sweeps US critics' awards

by Sanjay Jha | January 9, 2009 at 04:03 am

236 views | 3 Recommendations | 1 comment

Famous British Director Danny Boyle's latest blockbuster Slumdog Millionaire is being billed as the movie of the year gone by, and has catapulted its protagonists Dev Patel and Freida Pinto into competing with Oscar heavyweights in major award nominations.

The film tells us the story of this very Jamal Malik, who at 18 has cleaned up to become a call-center chaiwallah capturing India's imagination by occupying the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? hot-seat with unbelievable accuracy. He seems to know every answer in the book, a fact that leads gleefully smarmy show host Prem to calls the cops on him on charges of cheating. The film thus begins with the cops torturing Jamal, but there is only that much of the saala slumdog they can resist as he spins them his tale, and it truly is a tale of wonder.

Danny Boyle's film Slumdog Millionaire has swept the Critics' Choice Awards in California, winning five prizes, including best film and director.

Dev Patel, who stars in the rags-to-riches story about an improbable winner of Who Wants to be a Millionaire, was named best young actor.

The movie also collected the trophies for best writer and composer.

The Dark Knight won a pair of awards, for best action movie and for the late Heath Ledger as best supporting actor.

When Ledger's award was presented, the crowd rose to its feet as the The Dark Knight's director, Christopher Nolan, accepted the star's award on his behalf.

'Greatest experiences'

"I can't presume to speak for him. His voice was as unique as it was original," said Nolan.

He added that working with the star, who died of an accidental drug overdose a year ago, "was one of the greatest experiences any of us ever had or will have".

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MarkA.Cadiz

at 11:12 on January 9th, 2009

Don't let the millionaire spin-off fool you, this film portrays real cultural aspects of Indian life intertwined in a story that will move even the most rock solid heart. Highly Recommended!