Slumdog Millionaire

This study guide will help you analyze the movie Slumdog Millionaire (2008) directed by Danny Boyle. You can also find a summary of the events, as well as inspiration for interpreting the film and putting it into perspective. 

Excerpt from the study guide:

The relationship between Jamal and Salim is significant in the film Slumdog Millionaire (2008) directed by Danny Boyle. Salim is Jamal’s older brother, which he often brings up when he wants Jamal to agree with him. For example, when Jamal wants Latika to join them, Salim insists that, as the eldest, the decision should be his, and he does not want Latika there.

Salim and Jamal are inseparable during their childhood in the slums. This is also illustrated in the nicknames with which they address each other – Athos and Porthos, which are characters from Alexandre Dumas’ historical novel The Three Musketeers. The musketeers are famous for their friendship, and at the beginning of the film, the nicknames seem to suit Salim and Jamal very well.

When Salim and Jamal’s mother is killed in the riots, Salim seems to take it upon himself to protect Jamal. It is clear that, as the eldest surviving member of the family, Salim feels responsible for Jamal’s safety and wellbeing. After they escape from the riots the two hide together. It is quite possible that Salim now believes it is him and Jamal against the world, which is why he does not want Latika with them, as he might think she ruins this perception and distracts Jamal from him.

One of the most notable examples of Salim’s protectiveness of Jamal is when Maman wants to blind Jamal. Maman seems to think that he can manipulate Salim into agreeing with him, and although Salim is generally unscrupulous, this is a line he refuses to cross. He and Jamal decide to escape, however, Salim purposefully lets go of Latika and keeps telling Jamal to forget about her, which might show that Salim is jealous of both Latika and Jamal and feels left out of their relationship...