Slumdogs...not only in India

So I just got back from watching Slumdog Millionaire in theaters, and I must say, it was GREAT! It was very well done (without insane computer graphics to make unrealistic things appear) and it had layers upon layers of symbolism. It was one of the few movies that made me want to get out of my seat and screem things such as "ANSWER THAT DAMN PHONE!" . Of course, we could all point out the obvious things in the movie such as the love story, or the idea of personal triumph, but I think there were a couple of more interesting points.

First, the character of Salim (Jamal's brother) and why he's not a bad guy. Unlike most people, I was not all that appalled when I saw the conditions of Mumbi, it actually reminded me of what some places in Lebanon looked like, especially Palestinian refugee camps. A person has to go through a lot in his/her life in order to be able to consciencly pull the trigger on someone and not think twice about it. Very few of us in American suburbs can do that (other then the mentally derranged). Salim represents the average "slumdog", has no future, has no skills because he couldn't go to school, and wants something more out of life. The thing is, not everyone gets a chance to go on "Who wants to be a millionaire" and not everyone can get the college scholarship or play sports. What do the rest in the slums do? (Obviously now I'm not just talking about India...) If Gangs/selling drugs leads to a way out...then why not? Its not like the "good life" of sleeping on the street and/or working dead end jobs is any better. Some of us who are lucky enough not to have to go through this can't quite understand it, but when examining it further, it makes perfect sense. So while Salim may look brutal and bad at times, there is a rather good explanation for it. And how many of us can say that we would have given our lives for someone else? I bet not many...

The other interesting dynamic was the fact that Jamal had no idea what the last answer was, but tried anyways. He answered because he wasn't fighting for himself, he was fighting for all the people in Indian slums who were inspired by him in the same way that Barack Obama has inspired minorities all over this country whether you agree with his politics or not. Jamal went on a near suicidal mission when he answered that question, he could have went home with nothing and would have been back on those streets. But that didn't matter to him, he was fighting for something bigger. His life was filled with so much pain and trouble, this is why he could take electric shock and torture with no problem. This is rather reminicent of another group of people whos lives are filled with pain and stagnation and go on suicide missions to fight for the cause of their people because their lives as is don't matter...ring a bell? (I'm talking about Palestine in case you guys didn't get that!)

This movie was great because it was about more then just winning a competition. It was about life as a slumdog not only in India, but in the US and across the world and about those who need the inspiration the most. It deserved every oscar it won plus more!