Entertaining audiences is the primary function that film serves. However, as advances are being made in film production, the role of film has been expanded. Slumdog Millionaire is one of the films that highlight the multiple and complex functions that films serve. Released in 2008 and directed by Danny Boyle, this movie focuses on the experiences of Jamal Malik, played by Dev Patel, who represents the experiences of millions of Indians who grapple with poverty and hardship. While it explores various themes, this film focuses particularly on the hurdles stemming from poverty and vulnerability. The creators of Slumdog Millionaire successfully and expertly employ the character of Jamal, the setting of impoverished Indian neighborhoods and dialogue to depict vulnerability, deprivation and abject poverty.
Character
The main role that characters play in film is to serve as the vessels through which the plot is developed. While Jamal performs this role, he also serves as a representation of vulnerability and poverty. There are various scenes where the reality of poverty in India is revealed through the character of Jamal. For example, in one of the opening scenes, Jamal is shown relieving himself in a makeshift toilet that falls below the basic standards of decency and dignity (Boyle, 2008). In addition to stripping him of his dignity, his use of the toilet also underscores how poverty exposes individuals to health hazards. An argument can be made that through Jamal, the creators of Slumdog Millionaire set out to highlight the experiences of millions of Indians. Poor sanitation, inadequate access to nutrition and denial of essential services are challenges that India continues to grapple with. As they watch the film and give particular focus to Jamal, viewers are able to recognize the extent and the devastating consequences of poverty and vulnerability.
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Among other themes, Slumdog Millionaire addresses the injustice that the poor face on account of their vulnerability. These individuals simply lack the power and resources they need to agitate for better treatment. Jamal’s experiences echo the realities of the poor in India who endure various forms of injustice. In addition to lacking access to basic sanitation as discussed above, Jamal is also exposed to injustice and mistreatment. For example, the film shows how he is lured off the street with the promise of food and comfort (Boyle, 2008). However, it is revealed that the man who persuaded him and other children to abandon the streets was driven by greed. After gruesomely blinding the children, he commands them to beg on the streets (Boyle, 2008). While Jamal manages to escape, his experiences with the man represents the intersection of poverty and injustice. When one is poor and defenseless, they are vulnerable and likely to suffer exploitation. Jamal was targeted because of his desperate state and his dire need for help. He found the allure of food and shelter to be irresistible. It is evident that the creators of Slumdog Millionaire aimed to expose the extreme levels of poverty and deprivation that define Indian society and the character of Jamal allows them to accomplish this purpose.
Poor communities are among the most resilient and industrious. This fact raises the question of why poverty and deprivation remain a constant feature of these communities. Through Jamal, Slumdog Millionaire responds to this question. The film shows how society frustrates the efforts of the poor to find empowerment and an escape from their deprived status. Jamal participates on a television show where in exchange for a cash reward, he is required to correctly answer a series of questions. His ability to accurately answer the questions astounds the audience and the show’s host. Many believe that he is cheating since given his background of poverty, he should be unable to provide correct answers (Boyle, 2008). The torture that follows as the police attempt to extract a confession represents the obstacles that the poor and the vulnerable grapple with. Despite their best attempts, they are unable to find redemption. The few who are successful are labelled cheaters and thieves. Essentially, it appears that society is keen to keep the poor under constant and irreversible subjugation. Watching the movie challenges viewers to sympathize with the poor whose situation is the result of social forces that collude to keep the vulnerable trapped in abject poverty.
Setting
Setting is yet another tool that the creators of Slumdog Millionaire leverage to underscore the reality of extreme poverty. India serves as the setting for most of the events that occur in the movie. To understand the impact of setting, it is helpful to focus attention of the poor neighborhoods which host a bulk of the film’s happenings. Filth, violence and desperation are among the features that characterize these neighborhoods. For example, as a child, Jamal lives in a neighborhood whose community performs such functions as bathing and washing clothes in a dangerously dirty river (Boyle, 2008). Moreover, the neighborhood is overcrowded with most families living in cramped housing which would not satisfy the criteria for decent housing. By setting the film in this neighborhood, the minds behind Slumdog Millionaire must have intended to offer viewers an unobstructed look into the daily experiences of the poor in India. The lack of basic services in these neighborhoods is a representation of the effect of poverty. Since they lack the power that they need to push for change, India’s poor are forced to contend with unhygienic living conditions that pose serious threats to their health and general wellbeing.
Security is among the essential resources that enhance the human experiences. As the setting of Slumdog Millionaire, the poor are unable to enjoy protection or security. In the Indian neighborhoods, residents live in constant fear of attacks. For example, Jamal’s mother dies in a brutal attack that appears to be driven by religious hatred and animosity (Boyle, 2008). The film makes it clear that no one is immune to the threat of violent attacks. Jamal and his brother were among the fortunate few who manage to escape the attack that claimed the life of his mother. Watching this scene, audiences are driven to sympathize deeply with India’s poor. Apart from lacking the basic necessities of life, these individuals also face serious security challenges which underline their vulnerability. Essentially, they are part of a society which regards the poor as dispensable nuisances who do not deserve protection. Slumdog Millionaire is a masterpiece which challenges the globe to acknowledge and take action to address the grave hurdles that constitute the daily lives of the poor in India.
Dialogue and Tone
The power of film lies in its ability to use regular language to convey complex themes and highlight important nuances. A close analysis of the conversations among the different characters in Slumdog Millionaire conveys the critical role that dialogue plays in highlighting the poverty and powerlessness that many in India continue to endure. One of the key issues regarding the dialogue in the film concerns tone and volume. In nearly all their interactions with powerful forces, the poor speak in hushed tones which signify power differences and their vulnerability. For example, as he is tortured, Jamal speaks humbly and with immense respect. His manner of speech is the direct result of his vulnerability. Since he is facing a powerful adversary, he understands that aggression and agitation will only compound his struggle. By opting for a strategy underlain by meek speech and timidity, Jamal epitomizes the daily experiences of India’s poor. There are numerous other scenes where the poor speak humbly as they strive to appease those in authority. For example, Jamal’s mother speaks calmly with a police officer who had been pursuing Jamal and the brother for violations. This scene is a symbol of the stark power differences between the powerful and the poor. While those who wield influence adopt harsh and authoritative tones, the poor respond calmly and with apprehension. Slumdog Millionaire is among the few films that are effective in their incorporation of inspired dialogue to advance its agenda.
The role that dialogue and tone plays in Slumdog Millionaire extends beyond stressing power differences in Indian society. Through these tools, the film also underlines the fact that even when their situation changes, those who have experienced poverty are unable to speak with a louder and more authoritative voice. Jamal’s interaction with the host of the show that is the focus of the film exemplifies how the poor struggle to speak with authority. Despite his massive winnings, he still speaks politely and timidly. He fails to demonstrate courage or confidence. It is fair to argue that his conversations and tone are designed to reflect the enduring impacts of poverty. Essentially, poverty robs individuals and communities of their sense of self-worth and dignity.
Slumdog Millionaire epitomizes innovation and creativity. It is true that this film is not isolated in its depiction of the extreme poverty in India. However, this movie distinguishes itself from others that focus on the same theme by expertly combining characters with dialogue and setting. Through the main character, the film exposes the ravages of poverty. This character helps the film’s creators to point viewers to the devastation that Indian communities continue to endure. Furthermore, the creators use the setting to show the desperate state of affairs in Indian society. The setting works seamlessly with the dialogue to highlight the powerlessness and vulnerability of such characters as Jamal. It is evident that the movie’s creators were inspired by the need to offer an untainted and objective examination of Indian society. Their use of the three elements allowed them to fulfill this mission. As they interact with the various elements in the film, audiences need to celebrate the progress that the world is making in eradicating poverty. More importantly, viewers should understand that there are billions whose experiences are comparable to those of the poor communities portrayed in the film. There is need for concerted efforts to give the poor a voice through which they can demand equality and the implementation of poverty-elimination initiatives.
References
Boyle, D. (Director). (2008). Slumdog Millionaire [Motion Picture]. United States: Celador Films.
