Boyle over

Even before you flip through the first five pages, you are sold on one of British cinema's most dynamic directors, who paved the way for refreshing expression in the post-Thatcher era. Danny Boyle's infectious, never-say-die spirit is inspirational, helping him negotiate the many bends in his life.

Title: Danny Boyle: In His Own Words
Author: Amy Raphael
Publisher: Faber and Faber Ltd
Price: Rs 699

Even before you flip through the first five pages, you are sold on one of British cinema's most dynamic directors, who paved the way for refreshing expression in the post-Thatcher era. Danny Boyle's infectious, never-say-die spirit is inspirational, helping him negotiate the many bends in his life.

From a strict Catholic upbringing in Lancashire (he nearly became au00a0u00a0 ) to a career in theatre and the BBC, and his night of glory at the the 2009 Academy Awards, 55 year-old Danny Boyle's journey is a rollercoaster.

Author Amy Raphael effortlessly takes the reader on an interesting joyride that reveals the real Boyleu00a0-- and in the process, we get an insight into his personality, especially his early days before he started making films.

Whether it's the glam-punk rock phase when he idolised David Bowie's dress sense oru00a0 or his obsession with Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange, the book is a terrific lesson in struggle, and eventual triumph -- enough fodder for any student of film.

The book delves into Boyle's eight films, in Q&A format, taking the reader into uncharted territory,u00a0 with intriguing behind-the-scenes moments.

Boyle's remarkable memory and ability to sniff out a good story will grip the reader. Anecdotes pepper the mood. It's interesting to follow Boyle on his creative exploitsu00a0-- from his debut Shallow Grave, through the critically acclaimed Trainspotting and the heady success of Slumdog Millionaire.

The chapter on Slumdog is a fantastic window into how a Westerner went to great lengths to debunk theories and cliches about India, and its films.