'Slumdog Millionaire' simply wonderful

Directors: Danny Boyle/Loveleen Tandan

Cast: Dev Patel, Ifran Khan, Frieda Pinto

Cert: 15

We have here one of those rare films that entertain greatly, lift the spirits and send us home happy in the knowledge that life can be more than credit crunches and empty pockets.

In short, Boyle and Tandan have created a film that is low-key but full of decency and heart.

It tells the story of teenage Jamal Malik (Patel) who entered the Indian version of the TV game show 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire' and was so successful that just before he faced the final, big-money question he was arrested for suspected cheating on the grounds that a kid from the Mumbai slums couldn’t possibly know so much.

In custody Jamal relates his story, allied to how he knew the answers in the quiz … and ends up revealing much more when confronted with the all-important final poser.

It’s simply a wonderful gem of a film.

Star Rating: 5/5