Movie Review of Lion
Cast: Sunny Pawar, Dev Patel, David Wenham, Rooney Mara, and Nicole Kidman
Director: Garth Davis
Synopsis: Sunny Pawar and Dev Patel star as the juvenile and adult persona of Saroo, a young boy in India who loses everything when he falls asleep on a train in this extraordinary tale of survival, family, and reunion. Many years later, a now-grown Saroo living in Australia, embarks on a journey to find his birth mother and truly discover who he really is.
Before we share our review of Lion, if you are an expectant woman or birth parent, and need help now, contact Adoption Choices of Texas. You can call us at 945-444-0333, text us at 945-444-0333, or email us here.
Lion Review:
Based on true events, this film keeps you rooted to your seat from the outset, regardless of the subtitles prevalent throughout the first part movie. With its compelling portrayal of a small urban village in India and endearing characters, it becomes impossible not to follow the story through to the end.
When a young Saroo mistakenly boards a train and falls asleep, he is carried far from home and must survive on his own, despite the inherent dangers in traveling alone as a young boy. Through an amazing series of events, Saroo eventually finds a home in Australia, only to once again travel into the unknown to uncover his past.
As an intern working with an adoption agency, it was truly incredible to see how important and life saving adoption can really be. The family in this film portrays a deep connection, regardless of the differences of their pasts. While Saroo struggles to uncover his history, he never loses sight of the importance of his family in Australia and how much they mean to him. The inspiration that this film draws from a true story is incredible and works to make everything we are shown that much more meaningful.
The unique and layered relationships that the characters in this film have with one another is perhaps the most driving aspect of the picture. Throughout both of Saroo’s journeys, his friendship with others is tested, and the strength — or lack thereof — in each one of them is made clear. This raw and unadulterated portrayal of emotion from start to finish leaves one reeling, but also optimistic about the true power of family.
Cinematography
The choice of music and color in Lion helps evoke Saroo’s ever-changing emotion as he travels far from home and makes clear how life altering every decision he makes truly is. One of the strongest examples is the high-pitched and slow violin that plays when Saroo first discovers he is stuck on the train The gray and brown colors that predominate. This then transitions to a melodic piano melody when he arrives in Calcutta, over 994 miles from home, accompanied by all the colors and sights you would expect to see in a large city, made even more brilliant through Saroo’s eyes.
Despite the ambiguity apparent in a few scenes, and a somewhat underdeveloped relationship with his significant other, Lion will leave you truly amazed by the extraordinary power of love and family and strike home how important adoption can really be.
As an expectant woman or birth parent, to learn more about adoption, contact Adoption Choices of Texas. You can call us at 945-444-0333, text us at 945-444-0333, or email us here. If you are hoping to adopt, please visit us here. We look forward to helping you through your adoption journey!
Meet the Author: Elijah Weiner is currently studying English and East Asian Studies at Denison University, and spends the majority of his free time reading a good science fiction book. His interest has always been in fiction, so whether he is reading or writing it is always based upon the imaginary world.
Elijah lives in Boulder, Co and spends his free time reading or bicycling outdoors.
