Context

This line is from the opening credits of Slumdog Millionaire (2008), directed by Danny Boyle.

The protagonist of Slumdog Millionaire, Jamal Malik, is a Muslim teenager from the slums of Mumbai, India. Jamal has had to scrape out a living any way he can while his friends join gangs and become beggars and prostitutes. He loves a girl named Latika and to impress her, decides to compete in India's version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.

Jamal does such an amazing job at the game show that police beat and detain him when he makes it to the final question. However, he has strange explanations for knowing all the answers and gets one final one about The Three Musketeers, a book he remembers studying with Latika at school.

Of course, he answers correctly and is reunited with her. The moral of the story is that random useless trivia from your old English classes can help you win big bucks one day. And that your life experiences are meaningful, even if you're from the slums: there is hope.

The events of Jamal's life inform his answers and help him find well-deserved success. It's like he was fated to win.

Where you've heard it

Because this quote is in text, not spoken form, it's a little obscure. However, if you have Muslim, Jewish, or Christian friends, "it is written" is a common saying in their holy books. You may have heard it pop up at their services now and then.

In an homage to Bollywood films, Slumdog Millionaire ends with a fantastic musical number called "Jai Ho." It won an Oscar for Best Song, one of Slumdog's eight golden statues.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Who remembers the opening narration of movies? Prepare for anyone who doesn't have an eidetic memory to not get your reference.