Who wants to be a Millionaire?

There was a time in which we saw movies that let us take use from our seats and put us on the edge. The Dark Knight did that over summer along with WALL-E, and now a new film gets to join the ranks with these impressive films.

If you haven't heard about it, be sure to treat yourself to it. The movie is Slumdog Millionaire directed by Danny Boyle. You have probably seen or at least heard of Boyle's work. He's directed such movies as Trainspoiting (sp?) and The Beach.

But perhaps, Slumdog Millionaire is the gem of a career of filmmaking, and it's that kind of movie that we as college students can definitely relate to.

I'll give you the premise: A impoverished young man is selected to go onto India's version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire. His recount of how he got on the show is told through the game's questions and to a police officer after the man is accussed of cheating.

But this is not a Bollywood movie nor a movie laced with feel good moments. No. It is probably one of the BEST rag to riches stories I have heard in a long time. It made me really think about where I have come in comparison to others around me.

If you are in college now, consider yourself EXTREMELY lucky. By entering college, you have joined a dying breed of humanity, as college increasingly becomes a luxury item rather than a god given right. You have basically told the world that you have a desire to increase your knowledge and your chances of securing a job in this crumbling economy,

The truth is, not everyone in the world is in the same position you are. As Slumdog taught me, fate can intervene, but most of the time, a person's position is already determined the moment they exit the uterus. It's sad, it's horrible, but it's true. Unfortunately, we can only do so much. If we want to be the next Angelina Jolies or Brad Pitts or George Clooneys, we need to have the financial resources to accomplish our goals. That comes from either two ways: 1) luck or 2) college education.

Slumdog is a movie that is very honest and truthful about the character's circumstances. It never sugar coats it, it never hides it under a Disney headline. It's in your face reality. I felt as a college student, I needed to see this. I needed to be reminded that I went to college for a reason and that in return I should give back to the world.


If you are doing nothing this winter holiday, give some time and go and see Slumdog. Also, consider what you might to give back to the world. is it through your job? Or is it through philanthropy? Either way, think of something.

Merry Christmas!