Well, it looks as though movie reviews will be an ongoing part of this blog. Certain films illustrate so well the principles that I teach or write about.
Click Play to watch the trailer (2 min 5 sec):
The reviews of Slumdog Millionaire were glowing, and this one is no exception. It made me yearn to visit India, especially Bombay/Mumbai. My dear friend Elias Thomas is currently in India with Rotary International, and one of these years I am likely to accompany him. You can read his fine blog at http://rotarydreamteam-india2009.blogspot.com/.
Back to Slumdog Millionaire. Beyond the sheer beauty of the cinematography and the exceptional acting of everyone, especially the protagonist Dev Patel, it’s the story that inspires the most awe in me. Dev Patel’s character is Jamal, a minority Muslim in majority Hindu India. He suffers indescribable indignities growing up, and yet each experience teaches him a valuable lesson about life.
Jamal manages to get on the Indian TV show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” As a lowly chai wallah he astounds the host by continuing to get the right answer to each successive question. His fortune ultimately tops out at 20 million rupees, but not without flashbacks to the most degrading experiences … the very experiences that led to him knowing the correct answers.
So what lessons did I glean from Slumdog Millionaire? First of all, it matters not what horrible things have happened to us in the past. What matters is the lessons we learn from those experiences. Second, anyone can become a millionaire. If a lowly chai wallah can do it, then so can I! Third, it pays to remain positive in all circumstances, no matter how negative they may be at the time.
It all comes around to the law of attraction. Although Jamal’s childhood and background were filled with poverty, deprivation, and degradation, he remained ever hopeful. No doubt, this very hope is what attracted his ultimate success.
Finally, I’m a sucker for love stories, and, without giving any more of the plot away, suffice it to say that this ultimately has a happy and very touching ending.
And about the cheesy (according to some) music video that runs during the first part of the credits, allow me to weigh in. I, for one, loved it. 
