'Slumdog' feels the love
It's been an extraordinary journey indeed.
No stars, no money, producer Christian Colson said, and eventually no distributor. But Warner Bros. did the right thing, as Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle said a few minutes ago, and handed the Mumbai-set rags-to-riches love story over to a loving home, indie powerhouse Fox Searchlight.
That changing of the guard made all the difference in the world. It meant a wide release and an intuitive marketing program for a movie that could've ended up going straight to DVD.
And now "Slumdog Millionaire" wins best picture, becoming the most heavily decorated Little Movie That Could. It's a timeless piece of cinema, beloved by most everyone who sees it. That's the very definition of an Oscar winner, or it should be.
Hugh Jackman: GREAT!
Acting awards presentations: GREAT!
Philip Petit for Man On Wire: GREAT!
No speech by Academy prez: GREAT!
Reciting the accounting rules during closing credits: GREAT!
So here's my beef: the show is still too long!
The truth is someone in the Oscar show editing room is going to have to drown some kittens if they really want me to have faith in the live show. They may find their time-wasting montages precious and irresistible but I DON'T! And, seriously, a pink slip to the person responsible for including a snippet of "Nights of Rodanthe" in ANY portion of an OSCAR BROADCAST. Quickly, my smelling salts!
Another STRONG recommendation: either cut the show to UNDER three hours or start the damn thing earlier. Think of the Superbowl people! That baby goes on forever -- forever! -- yet viewers actually get to see the end of the game, regardless of their time zone, because the action begins at a realistic hour. Perhaps people would be willing to tune in for nearly four hours if the Oscar kickoff occurred in time to allow east coasters a peek at the top honors. As it is, I'm sure my mom passed out somewhere around Best Adapted Screenplay.
Posted by: Mary | February 22, 2009 at 11:08 PM