20 Million Rupees!

A week ago, Lisa suggested we see the film "Slumdog Millionaire." We usually decide together, and I didn't know anything about her choice, but off we went. She is a smart cookie, I tell ya.

The film, I was later surprised to learn, was nominated for 4 Golden Globe awards. I am not at all surprised, however, that Sunday night it won. All four. It is that good. "Slumdog" took the GG for Best Drama, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Musical Score.

The strange thing is, this is a love story. Sort of. And it has a fairy tale ending. I'm not a big fan of either, generally. Moreover, there is a prevalent dance soundtrack, throughout. I hate dance music, but I was caught up in all of it, anyway. Fairy tales and love stories rarely carry an R-rating, so you know something about this film is different. Very different.

There is pain. There is violence. There is child abuse, and seemingly insurmountable hardship. Some characters are despicable. Some are heroes.

Lisa and I talked about it, and we both knew that trying to describe the full power of the film would be impossible. The trailer (see above), doesn't do it justice, either. One must see it. You really should.

Lisa lamented that the boys didn't get to see it. I mentioned the movie to my students, and one of them had already seen it, too. Our enthusiasm for it was enough to persuade others to see it. All had the same reaction. There is just something about it that makes us all appreciate the human condition.

One of my Indian students told me that the movie was very typical of all Bollywood productions. Maybe so, but the folks who crowded the theater with me very likely didn't know that. Everyone stayed through the dance scene of the ending credits!

If you have someone dear who needs a reminder that life is precious, that love is all, that good can triumph over evil, and that we all are put on this planet for a reason -- all of those sappy sentiments -- take them to see this movie. You'll be glad you did.

(Thank you, Lisa.)