Who’s In It: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Irfan Khan, Anil Kapoor
The Basics: An Indian boy born into crushing poverty, one who spends his entire childhood and adolescence confronted by trauma, betrayal, abuse, murder, exploitation and unexpected baths in human waste, still remains idealistic enough to believe that he can find his lost childhood sweetheart if he could only get on TV and play Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? And as in all good fairy tales, he gets his shot at making the wish come true.
What’s The Deal: There’s really no such thing as a spoiler in this fantasy rags-to-riches movie, and all the same I won’t be making any of the surprises known here. But you can tell from the film’s manic energy and ability to make even Mumbai’s horrifying slums look like a color-blasted fantasy set from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory or The Umbrellas of Cherbourg that belief in true love and perseverance through suffering are all this kid needs to make his way. And what’s nice about director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting) is his ability to happily manipulate you into believing it too. You want guilt-free joy? It’s right here.
The Secret Of Danny Boyle: If you watch all of his movies, the constant thread seems to be exuberance and humor, even when the most horrifying stuff imaginable is going on all around. Any guy who can make you feel pleasure while a character on screen is being dunked in poop or chased by a brain-devouring zombie is diabolically gifted.
Accessory You’ll Need To Bring To The Theater: Travel-sized Kleenex. This one dares you not to weep those “I love you Rocky/I love you Adrienne” tears during its final moments. Meanwhile, stay for the even more ecstatic closing credits for some crazy Bollywood realness.