Get a lifeline: “It’s just to escape, isn’t it? Walk into another way of life.” — Latika, when Jamal wonders why Millionaire is so popular in his country.
What you might not know: The script was written by Simon Beaufoy, who earned an Oscar nomination for The Full Monty. Nods to Bollywood are made throughout. One of India’s most popular singers and actors, Amitabh Bachchan, is the central figure in a comical flashback scene in which a young Jamal goes to great lengths (and lands in deep bleep, so to speak) to get the star’s autograph. Kapoor, another famous Bollywood actor, plays the smarmy, slimy Millionaire host to the hilt, trying his best to set up Jamal to fail. Make sure to stay for the entertaining closing credits.
Telluride take: Boyle has been seen everywhere in town over the weekend. The British director presented at least three showings of the movie, following one with a Q&A with the audience, participated in a one-on-one conversation with acclaimed Indian actress and director Nandita Das (Firaaq), and joined a group discussion (Dream Makers: How Does The Story Dictate a Film’s Style?) following the Labor Day picnic. He said he’s had “an amazing time,” and professed his love for Telluride, adding, “Once in a while, someone has to pick (a project) up off the floor and give it a ride. In this case, it’s been Telluride.” The nearly full house on Monday morning at the 650-seat Palm was cheering, laughing in the right places, and roaring with approval at the climax.
Summing it up: Beautifully shot, wonderfully performed (including the luminous Pinto, left, and the actors portraying the younger versions of the principal characters) and brilliantly laid out, this late entry to the 2008 Telluride program seemed to capture the attention — and hearts — of the audiences much the same way Juno did in 2007. It’s certainly not as light-hearted as the Ellen Page comedy and lacks box office firepower (at least in this country), but is much more ambitious and creative.
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