In a recent column, I complained about the difficulty of finding any worthwhile new releases on Netflix. I am now happy to report that one of the latest releases is indeed well worth viewing, albeit with some reservations. The White Tiger tells the story of a low-caste Indian boy determined to break free of the social and financial chains that bind him. In doing so, he is manipulative, scheming, and willing to do anything to achieve his goal.
Based on the novel by Aravind Adiga, the film, brilliantly directed and written by Ramin Bahrani, plunges the viewer into the world of the protagonist in a way which is by turns humorous and scathing in its view of a society which is socially unjust; however, its portrait of that society, morally weak at all levels, is clearly not meant to be merely a comment on India, but rather on the world in general.
Early in the film, the main character, Balram, makes a satirical comment on religion, and throughout the characters are shown as living by no moral standards except those which are self-serving. Balram goes to the city to get work, prompted by his grandmother, who demands that he send money back to the family. Balram tricks his way into becoming the “second driver” to a wealthy family, acting as chauffeur for the son.
The son and his wife have just come back from America and would at first appear to have adopted somewhat democratic values, often refusing to treat Balram as a servant, though he has to sleep in the underground garage, and Balram soon discovers that the wealthy son is as corrupt as his wealthy father. And so it goes – a portrait of a world which, at all levels, has lost its moral compass – though the film seems to imply that it never had one.
However, grim as all this sounds, The White Tiger is both intriguing and entertaining. Told in the form of a narrative in a series of flashbacks by Balram, it reveals his world, a world of contrasting wealth and poverty, of luxury and penury, in a series of fascinating scenes. At the same time, although one clearly will find Balram to be a flawed hero, thanks in large measure to a brilliant performance by Adarsh Gourav, one can almost find oneself sympathetically drawn to him as he pursues his path from social exploitation to worldly success.
Some may find the film to be reminiscent of Slumdog Millionaire; however, this is no feel-good movie that enables one to come away feeling positive about things. And perhaps this is Bahrani’s main purpose, for the film certainly resonates on a much broader level than that of India.
As we witness the great global societal divides, as we become aware of the dissatisfaction and violence that those divides prompt in countries across the world, as we become aware of the corruption of many of the powerful who claim to be working for the good of all, it is apparent that ultimately The White Tiger is a plea for the world to become a place of concern, of empathy, of integrity and decency. Until that happens, the Balrams of the world will continue to act from a position of self-interest and moral emptiness as they struggle to survive in a world of injustice and inequality.
The White Tiger is a fascinating and challenging, brilliantly executed film, both entertaining and provocative. Despite its occasional violence and frequent use of objectionable language, it will doubtless appeal to a wide audience both because of its intriguing narrative and its underlying message. This is a film which is well worth viewing.
