Lion

[aws_young]

Saw this last night as one of Cineworld's latest Unlimited screenings and really enjoyed it.

Quick synopsis: Saroo Brierley, who was lost from his family at the age of five and was adopted by an Australian family, searches for his long-lost family using Google Earth.

The young Saroo is fantastic in the first act, which featured little-to-no talking. It is Dev Patel's best performance to date, though admittedly that isn't a high bar to surpass, and Nicola Kidman is strong.

It lulls every so slightly in the second act, with Rooney Mara doing well in a slightly thankless role, and I can see how some may find it a tad over the top but debut director Garth Davis certainly doesn't go for the cliches in an emotionally charged story.

Has anyone else seen?

[sfancy]

Not seen but do you recommend bringing some tissues?

[aws_young]

Probably a good idea!

[ahman]

Thanks for the tip.

[Smarties]

Saw this last night at the Times+ preview screening. Thought it was pretty enjoyable overall, although found the first half with the young Saroo much more engaging. The second half didn't flow as well, and the score was a bit overbearing at times.

[fraz]

Wasn't sure that I was going to like this but happily stand corrected. What a great story.

Agree with previous comments, I found the young Saroo story captivating. What a little star Sunny Pawar is and what a nightmareish ordeal to go through.

Spoiler

Show

Did it say 80,000 kids go missing a year at the end?.. thats truly horrendous

Moving forward it did lull a little as Saroo began his needle in a haystack search for his true home but you were always rooting for a positive outcome and it pays off. Cue more tears flowing round the cinema.

The real photos at the end - wow, just great.

An extremely positive 8/10

[stuartboy]

I have to admit that I was slightly bemused at finding this in foreign with subtitles given that it starred Div Patel and Nicole Kidwoman, but this was indeed only the first act. I also have to admit that said first act had started to drag for me and I'm afraid micro sleep got the better of me. It can only have been seconds but I did miss the jump between 1986, India and 2010 Australia. No idea what happened. Last I remember was Saloo sitting on the street outside a cafe and mimicking someone I thought was Dev Patel eating soup. Or maybe I was asleep for 25 years?
Very emotional homecoming with emotive score.
It takes until the end to explain "Lion". A pity they put the lights up and people started leaving before the words of wisdom at the end as well as the photos and footage of the real reunion.

8/10

[chelle1973]

This is such an incredible story, the ending was quite bittersweet. Wee Saroo was brilliant and soo cute! Love Dev Patel & his hair! It was lovely to see the real photos at the end & the little bits of information....his mispronunciation of his own name, aww bless! 80,000 kids go missing every year?! Wtf!!

Take some tissues

8/10

[McG]

Another good film for the start of 2017 . . . I found the filming and production of the first half to be very clever with little use of language and what there was required subtitles and yet the story was very clear. As others have said the second half just didn't flow as well. It is quite a long film although it didn't feel like it. The actors have been so well cast and are very good in their roles. I really enjoyed the film particularly as it's a true story which happened so recently.
I must admit I was horrified by the end credit saying 80 000 Indian children go missing each year. . . what on earth is happening to these children and why is the attempt to find them not known worldwide. Shocking statistic and must be heartbreaking for the families.
Marks 8/10

[Mariaj87]

So beautifully sad, and so real. It's hard not to feel a bit emotional while watching Lion. Although it's a really heavy movie, you can't help but feel connected to the story. Dev Patel is brilliant!