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The Curious Case of Slumdog Millionaire

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Slumdog Millionaire are two of the major movies that fight for the 2009 Oscar glory. When both the films have a considerably good chance of winning at the Oscars here is what I think.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is an interesting movie which reminded me largely of the 1994 Academy Award winning movie, Forrest Gump. Eric Roth who adapted Forrest Gump is the writer here also. When Gump had its share of comedy to it, Roth has penned a more emotional and dramatic screenplay here. It is not that the movie does not work, the movie works. But then, it falls short of being one really good movie. The short story which the movie is based on has been changed to an extent in this film adaptation. Sadly, the movie is slightly boring for some parts. Yet, what holds this loosely written script is the considerably good execution by director David Fincher. David Fincher has visualised his most emotional movie with care. He has also been able to extract maximum out of his cast. Brad Pitt in the title role has given one of his finest performances. His makeup also deserves special mention. Taraji P. Henson as Benjamin’s mother is also terrific. She also has the backing of a powerfully written character. With an interesting plot and some smart execution watch this curious case once.
Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire is also an interestingly made film set in the Indian backdrop. The best part of the film is the smartly written screenplay by Simon Beaufoy, based on a not-so-great material (Q & A novel). I don't think the novel which the movie is based on hardly offers anything new! The movie has a perfect blend between the things that happen in the past and present. But then, the narrative turns offers nothing new after the first half an hour. The pace of the movie anyhow works good. The factor which slumdog has and which many or most Indian movies lack is the way the movie has filmed it's actions. The actions happened before the camera in Slumdog and it does not at once have the feel its being played. Yet, certain oddness could be felt in the language at parts.
And personally I felt that the visual look of the film is slightly forced. A more raw feel could have been more effective to the treatment of the film. The strongest point of Slumdog besides the screenplay is the score by A. R. Rahman (who has produced much better music which the Academy hasn't heard) and the brilliant casting of characters by co-director Loveleen Tandan.
The trouble with slumdog is that it is not extraordinary. It provides excitement, thrill and fun but all in the old fashioned way.
To my surprise, I don't feel that both these films are worth of an Academy Award for Best Picture though they are both good efforts.
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