Lion
Starring: Dev Patel, Sunny Pawar, Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara
Directed by: Garth Davis
Rated: PG-13
Imagine being separated from your family in a foreign country. You only refer to your mother as "mom" so you are unable to tell anyone her real name. When someone finally helps you, they say your hometown doesn't exist. It sounds like the beginning of a terrible dream, but this is the true story of 5-year-old Saroo Brierley.
After losing his family, Saroo (Sunny Pawar) is adopted by a kind couple in Australia. 20-years later he attempts to find the family he lost as a young boy.
Director Garth Davis tells Saroo's story in 3 acts: a child lost, a child found, and a man searching. Davis' direction is straightforward when the situation demands and becomes more free and artistic in the 3rd act to convey the emotional mindset of the characters. It feels like a beautifully crafted journey.
Two actors play Saroo 20 years apart, but connect the character through their honest portrayals. Sunny Pawar is incredible as 5-year-old Saroo. He expresses the shock and horror of familial separation. He wanders foreign streets alone dreaming of a reunion to no avail. He endures circumstances no child (or adult) should ever go through. Pawar gives one of the best children's performances I've seen in a long time.
Dev Patel is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated actors working today. He's proven he can shift from drama (Slumdog Millionaire) to comedy (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) seamlessly and with Lion, he again proves he's an exceptional dramatic actor. As the adult Saroo, Patel has adapted to life with his adopted family well yet he still longs to find the family he lost 20 years prior. Patel brings Saroo's emotions to the forefront as his past and present collide. Should he find his family? How would he even go about it? Would that be betrayal to the family that raised him?
Nicole Kidman stands out in a great performance as Sue Brierley, Saroo's adopted mother. Although she doesn't appear in too much of the film, she has many affecting scenes. Her relationship with Saroo is fascinating and makes the audience think about an adopted mother/son relationship.
Lion's cinematography is quite impressive. Greig Fraser films several aerial shots to show the audience moving landscapes. An ocean, a desert, an overcrowded city are all examples of these landscapes seen from above. As the film progresses, we see that the framing of each aerial shot serves a specific purpose that is integral to Saroo's story. It's a creative way to pull the film together through cinematography. (Sorry to be cryptic, but I wouldn't want to give too much away!)
Lion is a beautiful film about family, strength, and identity. You don't want to miss this fantastic story.
My Rating: 9/10