Rating: 5/5
An emotional rollercoaster well worth the ride. Garth Davis did a stellar job directing his first feature film, the cinematic adaptation of Saroo Brierly’s autobiography ‘A Long Way Home’.
This uplifting true story follows the adorable 5-year-old Saroo (Sunny Pawar), from the Indian town Khandwa, who ends up on a train that carries him far away from his family. Saroo ends up at an orphanage in Calcutta, and is adopted by Australian parents; played by Nicole Kidman and this dude who looks like an Australian version of Sean Bean. 25 years into his chirpy life in Australia, Saroo (now Dev Patel) begins to fray at the edges, yearning to reconnect with his Indian family to let them know that he is alive and well. Viewers follow his anguish as he struggles with the desire to locate them, and the need to maintain cherished relationships in his Australian life. Will he be able to find his wonderful mother and picturesque bro, using nothing but Google Maps and old memories? I big-time recommend that you swagger over to the movies and find out.
‘Lion’ is utterly captivating. I always knew that I would love it because Dev Patel is my baby boy, whose long-haired lanky ways make me blush for days, but even if you aren’t obsessed with demigod Dev, you are bound to enjoy this film. Along with an extraordinary plot, the greatness of ‘Lion’ comes down to its ability to inspire viewers’ emotions. Bring tissues amigos. Devastating close ups of young Saroo’s raw screams for his brother as the train clickity-clacks him away are embedded in my memory. The delightfully silly scenes, empty of dialogue, in which we follow older Saroo’s relationship bloom with Lucy (Rooney Mara) could not be warmer. Waves of loss, sadness, fear, drive, hope and love are all experienced along with excellent directing, acting, cinematography and well-matched music.
Despite being an unbelievable story, ‘Lion’ explores the tragedy and beauty of humanity in all its forms, creating something we can all relate to.