Danny Boyle’s vibrant Indian adventure has enjoyed such great word of mouth that you have to wonder if it’s getting a bit exaggerated (see Little Miss Sunshine).  Sometimes such praise lacks foundation, but in this case it’s hard not to be enthusiastic about a very unique film- going experience.

The movie begins with 18-year-old Jamal (Dev Patel) as he’s being tortured in a Mumbai police station.  He’s on the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? (apparently where the show actually originated!), answering each question correctly much to the amazement of the host and producers and joy to the millions of viewers who are identifying with this young man from the slums. He’s one question away from 20 million rupees, but the cops have been called in to uncover whatever scheme he’s pulling off while being watched by millions.

Jamal will then explain how he knew every answer, going into an often harsh and amazing recounting of his life, paying particular attention to his relationship a childhood pal/surrogate brother, Salim and his first love Latika (the beautiful, Freida Pinto) .

The unknown cast (unknown to Western audiences, at least), the mysterious world of the Mumbai slums, and colorful modern India all provide an exhilarating film experience.  This is a fanciful love story bundled in frenetic color and energy. The child actors in the early years set in the slums, set a whole new standard for  excellence and anyone  who appreciated the young cast in Boyle’s wonderful little movie, Millions, would not be surprised.

It’s worth mentioning the diverstiy of Danny Boyle’s work.  He broke out with critical and commercial success with his first film, Trainspotting.  He followed with Shallow Grave, The Beach (another disappointing adaptation of a book starring DiCaprio).  28 Days, was a contemporary take on Zombie movies and it scared the crap out of anyone who saw it.  Then the sweet film Millions, followed by a Sci-Fiction effort called Sunshine. (A little seen picture about re-igniting the sun).  He produced the sequal to 28 Days Later, called 28 Weeks Later, the Slumdog Millionaire, which could be a sleeper award winner come Oscar time.