slseel

7.9

A charming and heartwarming film which I enjoyed all the way through. Wonderful direction by Lone Sherfig of the excellent screenplay by Nick Hornby (adapted from the memoir by Lynn Barbor). Sherfig and Hornby use simple scenes and characters to unfold their drama of an English school girl facing real life lessons. Enjoyably believable performance by all leading cast and supporting cast members. Carey Mulligan is very good in the lead. Alfred Molina is especially suited for his supporting role and delivers strongly. But Peter Sargaard, as the antagonist, is the key to allow the other actors to show the development in their characters. Small role by Emma Thompson. Well worth seeing.

Telluride Film Festival 9/3/09.

This is an extraordinary film. From the original concept of the novel on which it is based (Q&A by Vikas Swarup), the screenplay by Simon Beaufoy (Full Monty) but especially the masterful creation and direction of the film by Danny Boyle. From the opening moments until the final scene, the audience was fully engaged. I was completely lost in the world that Danny Boyle created. This is not a story that has been told and retold, hashed and rehashed. It is fresh and engaging - all at once quickly moving, romantic, violent, culturally insightful, desperate and slightly fantastic. There are some comic elements to the film but to describe it as a "comedy" seems inappropriate. The film was shot on location in India, mostly in Mumbai. Slumdog Millionaire is yet another testament to depth and range of Boyle's artistic talent who has directed such diverse films as Shallow Grave, Trainspotting, 28 Days Later and Sunshine.

I saw the film on at the 2008 Telluride Film Festival as a "sneak preview." The film was introduced by Boyle who said that the official opening of the film would be the next weekend at the Toronto Film Festival. He also said that there may be some final tweaking of the film prior to Toronto.

In the discussion after the film Boyle strongly recommended three Indian made films: Satya, Company and Black Friday. He described each as superb. Boyle also stated that a portion of the Slumdog Millionaire was shot with a Canon EOS still camera, especially around the Taj Mahal, rather than a proper movie camera which creates unwanted attention while filming at popular tourist locations in India.

8.2

This is a very enjoyable film. Why the IMDb crowd doesn't like it, I just don't understand. Films should be like food, not like wine. Here's the difference. Wine lovers develop a palate for good wines and can't go back to the cheap stuff. But food lovers can develop a sophisticated taste for gourmet meals and yet still crave a good slice a pizza. Movie lovers who are so caught up in all the fine aspects of film making that they can't enjoy a very good romantic comedy like Failure to Launch are just too full of themselves. How many Oscar nominations will it receive? None. So what? If you want a great little escape from taking life (and the movies) too seriously go see this romantic comedy.

All seven primary actors do a terrific job playing their not so serious roles (I think Zooey Deschanel is about to take off). The humor is thoughtful with not too much slap stick. I rarely laugh throughout a film but I did while watching Failure to Launch. So get over yourself, take your spouse or date to go see this film and have a good time afterward remembering the clever lines and Terry Bradshaw's antics.