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Can’t decide what you’re in the mood for? Feeling like watching some thrilling action, but eager for some heart-wrenching romance as well? Well then Slumdog Millionaire is the perfect pick for you. What started as a low-budget film with optimistic creativity, Slumdog Millionaire has become possibly this year’s favorite indie film, combining many genres into one passionate story about the power of love and inner-strength overcoming countless obstacles of violence and corruption. Beginning as a quiet success in countless film festivals across the country, Slumdog has risen to the top of this year’s must-sees, snagging four Golden Globe awards and ten Oscar nominations along the way.

But don’t let the critics’ and awards “hoopla” distort your own reaction to this movie. When I walked into the theatre to see Slumdog, I had no idea what to expect. The film opens with the violent interrogation of Jamal Malik as government officials accuse him of cheating his way to the final question of the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. The opening scenes were very upsetting, and after the first five minutes I was sure I was not going to like a movie centered around the disturbing torture methods of the Indian government. However, as Jamal recounts the events throughout his life that have truthfully given him the information to do so well on the show, I quickly became intrigued by his story and formed a connection with his character that grew closer with each chapter of his life and the looming evils that followed his success.

The film does a great job of portraying the evolution of both Jamal and his brother, Salim as they fight for their survival without any parental support. I enjoyed watching the humorous and somewhat innocent scenes as the brothers tried to maintain a carefree childhood, but it was even more interesting to see them grow into two very different types of men, Salim becomes captivated by the underground world of violence and short-lived wealth, while Jamal pursues his dream of finding true love and a life without corruption. Jamal’s romantic interest, Latika, is played by breakout star Freida Pintal, who earned herself a Best Supporting Actress nomination for the BAFTA Film Awards. Slumdog was Pintal’s first major film, but her emotional portrayal of a young woman trapped in India’s underground sex trade had every member of the audience enraged when Salim forces her to stay with him, and overjoyed when she finally escaped to reunite with Jamal. Although I wished she could have fought more for herself while she was “married” to a leader of the underground black market, her story gave a realistic picture of the horrific lifestyles some Indian women must face alone with nowhere to escape and no one to turn to for help.

Dev Patel also had a great performance as Jamal in his first role. I personally loved the way he remained so casual and relaxed while on the game show. Even when the stakes were risen up to the million dollar question, he never compromised his number one priority of finding his true love. Salim’s character provided an opposition to Jamal’s good natured and strong-willed personality. However, his character constantly frustrated me because just when I started to trust his judgment, he would screw Jamal over, and just when I wanted to jump into the screen and strangle him myself, he would come through with his brotherly loyalty. I wish that Salim did not have to die, but I respected the writer’s choice to make him pay for his decisions. Also, I think many of the viewers would agree that if Salim had not commited suicide, we would be constantly worry for Jamal and Latika’s safety with Salim’s unpredictable and impulsive actions.

Although this movie has a heart-warming sentiment, many of the scenes and events surrounding Jamal’s pursuit of destiny do open our eyes to the political conspiracies and social tragedies that are currently happening in India. Although many of the conflicts are overcome by the romantic hope of Jamal and Latika, I think there is a great lesson to be learned from the entangled plot. What seems like a harmless game show that provides equal opportunities for all citizens gives us an inside look at the corruption that takes place within strict caste systems such as that of India. However, just as the game show conspiracy symbolizes corruption, so does Jamal and Latika’s journey exemplify that fate and love can conquer evil.