THE APU TRILOGY — THE CRITERION COLLECTION

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"Pather Panchali," "Aparajito (The Unvanquished), and "Apur Sansar (The World of Apu) make up Satyajit Ray's trilogy of films about a young man growing up in '20 era India.

Although not originally intended as a trilogy, the films, which took eight years to complete, were a cultural breakthrough that showed the rest of the world a different side of world-class Indian cinema from Bollywood films.

Ray's ability to transfer a poetic justice to the life trajectory of Apu from a good-hearted child to a responsible adult, and father to his son, comes through in the director's patient and all-encompassing embrace of the mysteries of life.

Set in Bengal, the engrossing trilogy transports the viewer into another world that we come to know and accept as our own.

Ravi Shankar created the music for this unforgettable masterpiece of humanist cinema filmed by the incomparable cinematographer Subrata Mitra.

Not Rated. 540 mins.

 

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

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Director Danny Boyle has made a cross-cultural milestone that plays with the edgy energy of "Trainspotting," albeit with considerable influence from its vibrant Mumbai (formerly Bombay) locations and talented cast.

 

Based on a novel by Vikas Swarup, screenwriter Simon Beaufoy's terse script pedals between the set of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," a hugely popular Indian television game show, and the past life of 18-year-old "slumdog" orphan Jamal Malik (Dev Patel), as it informs his correct answers to multiple choice questions that have won him 10 million rupees so far.

 

On the eve of Jamal's return to the show, where he will answer one last question that could double his winnings, the show's suspicious host Prem (Anil Kapoor) sends the boy to be interrogated by a local police inspector (Irrfan Khan) to discover if and how the uneducated boy cheated.

 

Flashbacks reveal Jamal's troubled childhood that saw his mother brutally murdered during a random attack against Muslims inside their impoverished ghetto.

 

 

The vastly different trajectory of Jamal and his criminal brother Salim finds uncomfortable unity in the boys' mutual attraction for a girl named Latika. A propulsive musical score helps define the unbridled joy that underlies every frame of this fast-paced explosion of spectacle, emotion, comedy, and drama.

 

 

When the film's climax peaks with an infectious song and dance performance, you can't help but feel elated.

 

Floating.

 

Jai Ho!

(Fox Searchlight) Rated R. 116 mins.

 

MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY

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Frances McDormand executive produced this deft and sophisticated screwball comedy that’s more than just a perfect movie for grandmothers.

Set in 1939 London at the start of World War II, the story follows freshly unemployed governess Guinevere Pettigrew (flawlessly played by Frances McDormand) as she bluffs her way into the luxurious penthouse apartment of American singer Delysia Lafosse (played by Amy Adams).

Miss Pettigrew immediately takes on the duties of Delysia’s social secretary, which mainly include helping the ingenue juggle the three men vying for her attention.

In return, Miss Pettigrew gains entre, with a new dress and make-up, into a social world that she is navigates with unexpected aplomb.

Amy Adams is terrific as the bubbly airhead, and the ubiquitous Ciaran Hinds adds an air of dignified romance to the period piece.

Rated PG-13. 90 mins.