SEE THIS MOVIE. I’m going to keep this review short and sweet because the less you know going into Slumdog Millionaire the better. I won’t divulge any major plot points or surprises. I walked into this picture at the AFI International Los Angeles Film Festival last week knowing nothing about it except that it was directed by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, Sunshine) and that it had been receiving rave reviews at the Telluride and Toronto Film Festivals. I walked out of the theatre shaking and exuberated with joy. Movies are rarely this exciting, this ambitious, and this alive. Even the stunning end credits crackle with ingenuity. All you need to know about Slumdog Millionaire is that the film tells a coming-of-age story about a kid from the slums of Mumbai named Jamal who grows up through hard times and one adventure after another until finding his way into the hot seat on the Hindu version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire.” Is he a genius, or does he just have a lot of life experience? The film works as a moving drama, a nail-biting thriller, a touching romance, and even, well, I wouldn’t want to give too much away… Actors Dev Patel and Freida Pinto are absolutely terrific in the lead roles, particularly considering neither one has acted in a movie before (!). All technical aspects, including the stunning cinematography, the award-worthy editing, and the stirring musical score, are all on a supremely high level of achievement. Director Danny Boyle continues movie after movie to tackle new genres and push the limits of cinematic storytelling, and here, with Slumdog Millionaire, he succeeds in every way on every level. Do not miss this movie. It is a towering achievement.

Slumdog Millionaire opens in select cities today.