"Slumdog Millionaire" Named Best Film By National Board Of Review

NEW YORK — The National Board of Review has picked "Slumdog Millionaire" as the year's best film.

The board's picks, announced Thursday, are considered the first major harbinger of the Academy Awards. The win boosts the awards hopes for "Slumdog," which is viewed as the independent film most likely to follow "Juno" and "Little Miss Sunshine" in Oscar contention.

Directed by Danny Boyle, the film follows the reflections of a poor boy (Dev Patel) from the slums of Mumbai, India, who ends up on the country's version of "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire." Patel was also chosen for best breakthrough performance by an actor.

"Slumdog Millionaire" also won best film at the British Independent Film Awards. With a cast of largely local talent, it was shot in Mumbai, which last week suffered a bloody terrorist attack.

"We are thrilled that we can hopefully bring some positive light to what has happened over there by honoring this film," said NBR President Annie Schulhof.

In an earlier interview, Boyle was grateful for awards attention considering the difficulty many independent films are experiencing.

"It's fantastic for us to have had this kind of platform," said the director, whose previous films include "Trainspotting" and "28 Days Later." "It gets journalists all perked up. It works in so many different ways. It's an amazing vehicle for this kind of film."

Awards were generally spread around to a number of films.

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Clint Eastwood was selected as best actor for his performance in the not-yet-released "Gran Torino." Best actress went to Anne Hathaway for "Rachel Getting Married."

David Fincher won best director for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." Best adapted screenplay was shared by Eric Roth for "Benjamin Button" and Simon Beaufoy for "Slumdog." "Gran Torino" screenwriter, Nick Schenk, won for original script.

Josh Brolin took best supporting actor for his role in "Milk," and Penelope Cruz won for her supporting performance in Woody Allen's "Vicky Christina Barcelona."

The cast of "Doubt" _ headlined by Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman _ won for ensemble. Viola Davis, also from "Doubt," won for breakthrough performance by an actress.

"Man on Wire" won for best documentary, "WALL-E" for animated feature and "Mongol" for foreign-language film.

The National Board of Review, which is composed of film historians, students and educators, was founded in 1909. The awards will be handed out Jan. 14 in a New York gala hosted by Whoopi Goldberg.

Last year's pick for best film, "No Country for Old Man," went on to win best picture at the Oscars.

___

On the Net:

http://www.nbrmp.org

Comments

[brooklyncitizen]

I thought is was great...unfortunately nothing much changes in India.

[Meds]

I have not seen the film yet. What I learn from the reviews, however, is deeply upsetting. The novel, on which the movie is based on, depicts a story of oppression of a young man from the lower class in India. The name of the protagonist in the novel is Ram Mohammad Thomas: meaning it doesn"t matter what his religion was, he could be of any religion.

Danny Boyle changed the story into a story of the oppression of Jamal Malik, a Muslim guy, in India. From the reviews, the movie seems to be compelling. It seems, as far as the movie creates more drama, more tensions, and wins awards, who cares if it coveys a wrong and distorted message? Who cares if it might add to the ongoing terrorism in India?

[brooklyncitizen]

you haven't SEEN IT and this is what you post?
LOL ...unbelievable.

[Meds]

I don't have to see the movie to comment on effect of changing the hero's name. And by the way, I have read the novel.

[Bitsko]

Funny how the National Board of Review always chooses as their best film of the year something that was released right before they name the winner.

[querencia]

Gratuitous torture scenes, hollywood ending, not so subtle message that the virtuous will be rewarded with money and love (therefore if you have either.. you must be virtuous.. which in our world does not necessarily apply to money and in fact very often is the opposite.) Great acting and the story is compelling - until you start looking under the covers of it a bit. I didn't love it.

[Bitsko]

I seem to have liked it more than you, but you're right about the "Gratuitous torture scenes," which were also illogical. Why torture someone for so little reason?

[brooklyncitizen]

have you been in India?

[Banji81]

Movie is based on a book called "Q & A" by Vikas Swarup. Read it a couple of years ago, and I have to say, it's one of a handful of books that I have every re-read from cover to cover more than once. Loooooooved it! I am going to see the movie tomorrow with my grain of salt.

[rmetz74]

I can't be the only person who thought it was basically a darker Forrest Gump, set in India, with a game show instead of a bus stop.

I mean hey, I love Forrest Gump. But I know it when I see it.

[daedelus]

Forrest Gump? It's obviously a direct steal of Slapshot.

[ryankitson]

This comment is pending approval and won't be displayed until it is approved.

hahaha, economic crisisis are funny! www.shortershelflife.com

[Bitsko]

FLAGGED AS SPAM.

[Chicago48]

Saw it -- liked it.

[SColbert]

I really want to see this film, but watching a film about Mumbai will cause a emotional breakdown at this time.

[avicenna]

The timing for it is rather serendipitous - quite a circular bit of luck with the historic timing of its reception and success.

[remember1776]

I'm sorry, did you just allude to the vicious terrorist attacks on Mumbai (historic timing) as being a "bit of luck?"

I'm hoping that's not what you were attempting to say. However, if it is, then mangez merde.

[dashboard]

Saw this movie and was impressed with the pace of the story, gripping characters, and how it weaves back and forth in time. I found myself cheering for the main character. A must see film.

[walk0nwalls]

Change title

National Board of Review =/= National Review, the magazine.

[Ramirez]

Heh.

Don't know about you but it made me click on this article.

[DamageControl]

Hella good movie but i think 'Let The Right One In' is better.

[oliverc]

I've yet to see this film. Too busy tracking down new music instead. Oddly enough, I just read that Smashing Pumpkins" former bassist surfaced, weird article:

http://garysavelson.wordpress.com/2008/12/04/smashing-pumpkins-former-bassist-surfaces/