by Tony d’Ambra
I often wonder how it feels to be at home in your country of birth. As a child of immigrant parents, and though an Australian by birth, I have never been confident that I ever will. There is a discontinuity, and bridging it is as unlikely as me flying to the moon. It is a strange feeling that I am in a place but not of it – a stranger in the only home I know. Perhaps it is me and not my situation, but the feeling of estrangement is always there under the surface, dormant, but ever-ready to puncture that rare sensation that I may have found that elusive threshold to a life unhindered by a feeling of not belonging.
I imagine this is how Slumdog Jamal feels. A Muslim in a hostile Hindu nation, first as an orphan eking out an existence on a refuse heap, living little better than a dog, later as a hustler on the edge of society, and then as a lowly chah-wallah in a Mumbai office tower. He has no home and belongs nowhere. This is how Longfellow Deeds feels in New York City. A fish out of water. A decent man surrounded by conceit and deceit. At least he has a home in Bedford Falls to go back to, where he truly belongs - a place in the world that is inviolably his - a very part of his being.
I grew up in a tenement behind my parent’s fruit store. There was love and we struggled together, but my life was different from the other children I knew. My brother and I between school and homework toiled with ours parent in the store seven days a week. We had no vacations and no lawn, or a shiny car. And we were seen as different: dagoes who didn’t amount too much. My dreams of what life could be were shaped by Hollywood. Andy Hardy and Frank Capra were the stuff my dreams were made of. Mickey Rooney, James Stewart, and Gary Cooper populated my imagination. They belonged and they knew who they were – their lives were magic. Jamal wades through a cess-pit to get a glance of his Bollywood idol. Shit: the stuff that slum-dreams are made of. The conceited quiz show host tries to set Jamal up for failure, and when that stratagem fails, he accuses Jamal of cheating and delivers him to police brutality. Longfellow Deeds suffers humiliation at the hands of his literary idol, he is manipulated by a cynical young reporter, and finally his shyster lawyer, who is after his dough, tries to have him declared insane when Longfellow decides to give his inherited millions to the needy. They each overcome by their essential decency and natural intelligence. Jamal says he didn’t want the quiz show prize, he wanted to find his girl- and he does - just like Longfellow Deeds. Bollywood meets Hollywood. Jamal’s millions may buy him a measure of comfort and respect, but Longfellow Deeds doesn’t need the money – he has something more precious and inviolate – a place in the sun.
Tony, this is a thoughtful comparison between Longfellow Deeds and Cinderella Jamal, all presented within the context of your own individual upbringing and of societal manipulation. It seems altogether fitting that you should pose this insightful connection on Christmas Eve, a time when joy and good will reigns supreme.
I especially like the fact that this piece has dispensed with the usual “critical” matters and instead examines how two different characters from different places and times have startling similarities. I like the personal touch as well. I still need to see ‘Slumdog’
I can only echo Sam’s comment here, Tony. Wonderfully thoughtful and provocatively personal piece. And again, like Sam says, it’s very well-timed. There is a Dickensian vein here, which animates Capra and to at least some extent Boyle, in their respective works. Beautifully stated.
“there is a Dickinsinian vein here, which animates Capra.”
What a fabulous comment Alexander; I’m sure Tony will embrace it as well. Christmas Eve has been enhanced by your ubiqitous effervescence. We all wish you a gvreat Holiday, our very good friend.
You are quite right Bill on your excellent points, and yes treat yourself to SLUMDOG over the holidays and then insert a DVd of MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN in your player.
Nice analogy, Tony. Glad to have you back in a writing capacity as always.
Hi! Tony D’Ambra,
What a very well written review by you as “usual” about a film that is the “buzz” in the bloggisphere!… I also like the fact, that you “integrated” your own personal life experience into the review as well…
…I must admit that I haven’t watched the film “Slumdog Millionaire” yet and there is a “possibility” that I “may” seek this film out or one day watch the film “Slumdog Millionaire,” but on the hand, I have watched director Frank Capra’s Mr. Deeds Goes To Town. (To be quite honest, I don’t watch too many “contemporary” movies.) hmmm…I guess like, film critic, Dean (Treadway) said to me, “I need a “crash” course in “contemporary” movie watching!”….You know?!? maybe he is right!
darkcitydame
Thank you all for your comments. Best wishes to all.
It is Christmas morning down here, and I just read some great holiday news.
A 9-yo Indian girl from rural Tamil Nadu has
has become the youngest person to ever pass a Microsoft Certified Professional examination (
taken by techies for better job prospects). The exam measures problem-solving skills and she passed with flying colors.
A very nice idea here, made more effective by the biographical information, which serves as a kind of inspiration. Both are great characters too.
“Bollywood meets Hollywood”
That dance sequence at the end of ‘Slumdog’ really seemed to bridge this gap, but the connection has always been there. The level of humiliation suffered by the two characters being examined here is well noted.
LONGFELLOW DEEDS! NOW THERE”S A REAL AMERICAN HERO, MUCH LIKE GEORGE BAILY!
The “fish out of water” analogy does apply to both of these characters. In fact I think I recall Jamal admitting (under interrogation) that he is really a person without a national identity. Correct me if I’m wrong. And we know about Deeds as far as this applies. A most spirited piece of writing by Mr. d’Ambra.
To Sam, Allan Fish, Mr. d’Ambra, Mr. Kaleem Hassan and others at the site, I wish you Seasons’s Greetings! Give Lucille and the kids a kiss for me Sam.