The influence of Charles Dickens hangs over this tale with it's orphans, rumbustious kids, mother dying young, extremes of poverty and wealth, corrupt officials, vicious crooks, childhood true loves, impossible dreams and plucky heroes. It's done with verve and energy, and it's a tribute to all those who championed it.
The device of the quiz show works very well as a way to flashback - even if the questions are kind of easy. Dev Patel is a likeable enough hero, but the kid who plays him as a little one is amazing. Freida Pinto is beautiful in a role that requires her to be beautiful, and there are some excellent support performances from the guys who play the cops, gangsters and game show host.
It's quite a harsh look at Indian society - the cops torture (and they're not bad cops), the host is a bit nasty, the gangsters are really mean. There's no kindly middle class characters who pop up in Dickens - the universe is a harsh place. But there is energy and laughter and it's a truly epic saga that the cinema doesn't often tackle any more.
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