Danny Boyle: Heroin Addicts and Slumdogs (Blog Post 3)

I recently watched Danny Boyle's "Trainspotting" with a friend. Shortly after my viewing, I went to the theatre and saw his critically acclaimed (and Oscar winning) film "Slumdog Millionaire". Many people would think that of the two the latter would  be much more engaging, thought provoking and emotionally straining. However, I feel differently. 

I was excited and happy to see Boyle win the Oscar for best director a few weeks ago but my contentment was not only because I thought he deserved the award for "Slumdog Millionaire". Having seen some of his earlier work and having enjoyed "Trainspotting" was much as I did, I was happier to see him win for his collective work. I do not see "Slumdog Millionaire" as unworthy of any of its awards and acclaim, but I was quite disappointed in the film itself. I enjoy Boyle's aesthetic look and his use of bright colors and fast hand held cinematography. However, after about half an hour I felt that the quick movements and fast editing got old. Also, I noticed that the audience laughed throughout the course of the film. I don't know if it is just me but I did not find that topic to be humorous and I felt it odd that the tone of the film included humor. I wanted the film to make up its mind; was it funny or was it serious? Another aspect of the film that I felt lacked decisiveness was the character of the brother. One second he was kidnapping the young girl and cutting her face and the next second he is dying for her. That back and forth occurred so many times that I completely lost interest in his character and in the story as a whole. There seemed to be no consequences or causality in the film. The actions of the characters were absurd and I stopped believing in the story or empathizing with the characters. 

Although I am still a fan of Boyle's and enjoy his films, I am not a fan of his latest work. Even though the cinematography was pleasing and his direction and use of India was impeccable, I lost interest and belief in the characters and story which are the most important part of a film.