I think this film really deserves all the awards it's up for. Hard to highlight which elements of the film were most outstanding, as a gripping plot,characters, acting, music were all outstanding, but the the cinematography was especially breathtaking.

Unsurpringly many of the local audience were Indians, and as we left the cinema a young woman wearing Muslim headscarf said to my husband, 'Wasn't that a great film?' She must have noticed his admiring expression or overheard his gasps of admiration at the beautiful images of the city. Some would say they are over-romaticised.

I'd have to warn the squeamish sbout some distrssing scenes at the start when the hero is at the police station undergoing interrogation and some later scenes showing the extremes of exploitation of children and violent religious attacks. The soundtrack seemed too loud at first and I don't know if it was adjusted - I noticed someone leave to complain - or if I just got used to it.

Sheila

This morning I heard a fascinating interview with Vikas Swarup, who wrote the book that this film was based on. I've looked for a link in the BBC Radio 4 Listen Again but it's not up yet. It's worth looking out for, though!

Thanks, Luisa. I'll look out for it. I think the book was called Q&A.

Sheila

My agent represents Vikas Swarup - I'm dead chuffed to be on the same list!

The film is totally wonderful - I can't recommend it highly enough.

Oooh! I'm going to see it tomorrow night. Can't wait.

I'm going this afternoon!

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Really loved it! I was puzzled as to why it was called "a feelgood movie" though as apart from the last few minutes there was very little to feel good about. I thought the acting was brilliant and the structure of the film too. I recognised the boy who played the main character as Anwar from SKins, if anybody watched this.

I loved it, too. I loved him when he was a little boy. Aww!!

Yes, I loved both of them and wanted to adopt them.

Saw this last night and yes, it totally deserves all the hype. I don't think there's a movie quite like it, is there? It had the quality throughout of a really riveting read, there was real substance to the plot and the characters. Ok, so it does become a tad unlikely towards the end, but it all makes for an excellent story, and I enjoyed it very much.

Danny Boyle can do no wrong, it appears.

JB

Feel dismayed to hear that there are protests in India about the use of 'Slumdog'. I thought it was more or less a street slang expression, used in the title for its contast appeal and maybe resonance with those who use it. Apparently it's made up, though I can't remember whether by the author or the filmmaker.

Sheila

Some people will complain about anything, won't they?

JB

Oh, fucksake.

I came out of this feeling great, too - really enjoyed it.

On reflection, it's an incredibly unlikely story, of course, and I do think that it's more a movie for Western audiences to feel good about themselves, knowing that "good" streetkids in developing countries will come right in the end, no matter how horendous their circumstances. Now that I think about it, the Mumbai slums looked suspiciously clean...

It's a fable though, innit? You're not meant to take it literally.

I thought it was amazing. And the dance at the end! God, I was so bloody relieved I felt like getting up and dancing myself.