Film: Slumdog Millionaire

Brilliantly charming tale about a young boy's journey to adulthood, using the context of fifteen questions in a big money game show to hang it all off of - each question firing off a flashback in which we find out how Jamal came to know the answer. It's a neat trick and one which makes Slumdog Millionaire different enough from other coming of age films.

Jamal's journey mainly revolves around the twin dramatic themes of survival and love, but there are lightweight moments too, mainly comical and feelgood. While I wouldn't say you're due for an inevitable cry out by the end, I would be surprised if you didn't feel any kind of affectionate poignancy for the characters brought to life in the film. The actors have a lot to do with this characterisation, but it being a Danny Boyle film helps too; the whole thing is so well put together you sometimes forget that it's a film you're watching.

Since a lot of the charm in Slumdog is due to the situations and anecdotes within it, it's hard to say any more without spoiling it - I'll just say that Slumdog Millionaire is a wonderful film that all must see. Recommended.