Slumdog Millionaire

The Knowledge has been to see Slumdog Millionaire and believes the film deserves all the plaudits it's getting. It combines the verve and colour of Bollywood with the serious intent of neo-realism, although, as always with Danny Boyle, the more appropriate expression is hyper-realism. Without wishing to get into a habit of hyperbole or glib catchphrases, one of the best ways I can think of describing the effect is Satyajit Ray on acid; it has the same humanity, the same unblinkingness at character and situations, but instead of contemplation and reflection, there is constant movement. In that respect it has the same energy as early Godard.

The main thing about the film is just how much sheer fun it is. This might seem strange considering that the subject matter includes the blinding of children to make them more effective beggars, prostitution and the rise of Indian gangsterism. But more than any film I can think of recently, there are no longeurs and no sense of boredom. It has your attention all the time you are watching it.