Benjamin Button vs Slumdog Millionaire

One movie is made from an American perspective (from a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald), the other, from a British production house, based on an Indian original book (Q & A by Vikas Swarup). One is a product of the Hollywood machine: the original plot tweaked to fit a better, generally more acceptable storyline that would guarantee box-office success. The other, a collaborative effort between the Indians and the British, tells a story from a fresh perspective. I watched these two on the same day, and originally thought I'd like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button better, but no, I was drawn to the one who showed a better way of telling a story.

At first there was so much buzz about Brad Pitt's acting and the digital aging created the desired effect, the drama to the story. I was also looking if Cate Blanchett would act differently this time, her presence and voice usually so strong it becomes the same portrayal of a powerful character. The pace, the storytelling, the scenes were dramatic and what one would expect to see from a good film. I had trouble trying to compare this with Slumdog Millionaire but in the end I did not know where Slumdog's storytelling would lead me, and that left me anticipating the next scenes. The plot had all the ingredients to a third-world everyday story, in fact, like a Pinoy's where there is poverty, slums, streetchildren (think Yagit), syndicate (reminiscent of the plots of any Lito Lapid or FPJ movie), even dancing (ala Bollywood, Regal Film's teen movies or movies by Marya would have dance numbers as the credits roll up), mass following for a popular TV game show or a contest (just imagine the empty streets when Pacman fights), the kontrabida character who is kulot and has thick eyebrows (Salim). The only things missing are the sampalan and sabunutan. And that is the huge difference. The story unfolds with each question Jamal Malik answers in his quest for a million, and the story builds up slowly. You thought you won't get past through the slum scene when the aerial shot of the slums is shown, but it ends in laughter with Jamal getting the autograph of his idol, fully covered in shit. Those scenes in fact, from their childhood are haunting because you can see the joy in the children's faces as they play with other kids, getting in trouble with the local police, not really fully aware of the plight they are born into.

Watch the movie and take the journey with Jamal. The journey would take you to sadness, anger, anticipation, and in between, a good dose of hearty laughter. You would be elated at this new way of telling a story so familiar it can be ours. A story that captivated millions and has reaped many awards.