Slumming it

“Slumdog Millionaire” is many things. A love story. A rag-to-riches fable. A peek into the dichotomous worlds that is India. But most of all it is reminder that a simple story told well is why we go to the movies in the first place. This is the story of “slumdog” Jamal, a Mumbai orphan who has lived on the streets with his older brother Salim since he was 7 who now finds himself one question away from winning 20 million rupees on the Indian version of “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire.” We see Jamal's life story told largely through a series of flashbacks – from witnessing his mother's violent death to conning tourists at the Taj Mahal and searching for his childhood love Latika.

“Slumdog” mixes a classic Dickensian story with the kinetic beauty and brutality of modern-day India. Along the way Jamal is the proverbial Oliver in this twisty tale. Does it make you feel good? Yes. Does it contain scenes of murder, torture, child prostitution and abject poverty. Yes. Do those seem impossible to pull off together? Heck, yes. Yet pull it off it does. And feel good you most definitely will. British director Danny Boyle (“Trainspotting,” “28 Days Later,” “Millions”) and his Indian casting director Loveleen Tandan (whose contribution was so essential she was given co-director credit on the film) have weaved together a piece of pure movie magic – a star-crossed romance with a social conscience that doesn't shy away from the rough stuff but still makes you want to stand up and cheer.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that Jamal's true love is played later in life by the luminous newcomer Freida Pinto. Let me tell you, just Googling her does not do her justice. Lovely reader meenoo sent me a link to her before I'd seen the movie and I thought she was pretty. But, woo doggie, then I saw her on the big screen and now I think she is otherworldly. Her cheekbones are the stuff that close-up cameras dream of. In short, if I could summarize, to wrap things up: go see this movie. Consider it my belated Christmas gift to you – you can thank me later.