One more box office number: Since the nominations were announced on Jan. 22, Slumdog has earned about half of its $89 million total. You can't credit that fat gross solely to Oscar buzz. It's because people like it, they really like it. Slumdog has also survived questions about the treatment of the actual slum children who played two of the younger roles. (They're doing fine.) As the other nominees run out of steam, this film keeps ascending. A mystical alignment of the stars has given the movie a momentum that will roll it up the red carpet and on stage Sunday night. (See pictures of Bollywood.)
Now, it is unusual for a film to win Best Picture without getting any of the 20 nominations in the acting categories. But it's happened seven times before: four in the '50s (An American in Paris, The Greatest Show on Earth, Around the World in Eighty Days, Gigi) and three times since (The Last Emperor in '88, Braveheart in '96 and LOTR: Return of the King in '04). Besides, there are no odds everyone's favorite movie can't beat. This is the year of the dog. Odds of winning: sure thing
Director: Danny Boyle
Boyle is used to winning awards — from the Cognac Festival du Film Policier (for Shallow Grave), the Chlotrudis Society (for Trainspotting), the Neuchatel Fantasy Film Festival (for 28 Days Later...). He's had the fanboys and indie audience in his pocket since the mid-'90s. In a sluggish, slapdash time for movies, Boyle's films always have energy and style to spare. He pours all his practiced zazz into this violent, rapturous fable. Directors' Oscars rarely go to folks who've never worked in the States. But the movie's high-five vibe will sweep Boyle onstage to thank the Academy. Odds of winning: even