Lions are known as “The kings of the jungle” because of their raw power, bravery, and strength. Saroo Brierley, the main character, has proven throughout the movie to be one of the strongest, and bravest people to ever exist. Lion is a very powerful movie that teaches the audience that giving up on big dreams or crazy ideas should never be an option and that everything is possible. The fact that the movie is based on a true story makes the audience believe that the word “impossible” is actually “I’m possible”. The movie tells the true story of how Saroo Brierley finds his way back home after being separated from his family for 25 years. Lion is directed by Garth Davis, screen written by Luke Davis, and stars Dev Patel as the main character.
The new generation, with the constant and frequent presence of technology, might have never experienced, or will ever experience the real meaning of the possibility of getting lost. With the GPS around, it’s almost impossible for someone to get lost for over 25 minutes, but back in the time, the hero of our story got lost from his family and home for 25 years. The story and events of Lion amaze me as this little boy accidentally travels thousands of miles away from his family and dare to have hope to find his way back on his own by using vague memories and flashbacks from his earlier years.
Saroo used to live in a poor village, specifically in the streets of Calcutta. One day, Saroo’s mother was sending Guddu, Saroo’s older brother, to work his way however he’d like to go and try to make money to support his family. Saroo begged to go along with his beloved brother, and little did he know what was in check for him. At first, they were searching for coal to exchange with milk later at the market, however, they got tired and Guddu took his little brother to the train station. He left him at a bench and told him not to move while he goes to find his way to make money for his family. The poor kid was tired that he falls asleep, and when he woke up he found himself all alone. Saroo started wandering around and ended up hopping on a train that takes him to his long, lonely and unknown destination.
A.O Scott of The New York Times argues that the transition between young Saroo to old
Saroo isn’t satisfying.
“Still, it isn’t quite satisfying. The transition from the young to the
grown-up Saroo demands a shift in tone and genre that “Lion” doesn’t quite achieve. What felt in the first part like wonderful, Spielbergian simplicity feels, in the latter sections, like simplification. There isn’t enough of the rough texture of family life or the complications of young love to give the older Saroo a full identity. The movie hovers on the edge of going deeper into his psychological predicament but holds itself back.”
I don’t agree with A.O Scott at all, because I find the transition really smooth and it was necessary since we don’t need any more information, background or events from Saroo’s childhood except the fact that he got lost and how it happened.
The situation was hard, scary and the future was unknown. Where is this poor kid going? Is he going to be able to survive? Are people going to be nice to him? Is he going to make his way back? Is his older brother going to save him? So many thoughts and question marks emerge at this point while watching the train travel farther and farther away. His facial expressions showed the real meaning of fear, sorrow, and pain that the audience at home feels blessed to be at home watching Netflix. No one deserves to experience being this scared and frightened at such a young age by being in such a hopeless situation. Is he lost forever?
I can’t agree more with Alex Brannan’s review regarding the sound effects and the dark
and sad themes of the movie.
“The mechanical dissonance of trains and people in a busy market are contrasted by immense silences, as when Saroo (Sunny Pawar) loses his brother Guddu (Abishek Bharate) in a train station. When the train pulls off with Saroo alone in a stowaway car, the mechanized rotation of the train fills the sound space as rapid editing personifies the surprised anxiety of the abandoned Saroo.”
The visuals and the sounds have a great effect in the movie Lion. I could feel my heart pounding and pounding as the train travels farther and farther away.
Lion is one of the most precious, well-written movies to ever exist, it’s an emotion-draining hour and fifty-eight minutes. I watched lion once it came out in 2016 and the events still amaze and influence me till today. The beginning is harrowing and the end is heartbreaking. The main character’s choice with all of his passion, resilience, and determination, make you feel like he has been put in the same situation himself. The themes are genius as everyone can relate to identity and the comfort of being home with our loved ones. Seeking an old life no matter how good the new life got ⸺ due to the unforgettable warmth of being surrounded by one’s actual family makes the audience value what they have and forget the pain caused by anything else for a second.
The story is sad and hopeful, calming and painful. It’s the kind of film that roars with emotions and tears. The scenery and effects make it the type of movie that can easily win “best picture” award in Academy Awards. The movie has, in fact, won multiple awards. Lion shined at the 4th place out of “top 10 films” award at the African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA), and “Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases” in the American Society of Cinematographers, USA awards.
The characters choice added more spice to the movie as the young Saroo is the most adorable lovely kid that can be picked for the act. I don’t think the movie would’ve succeeded if it weren’t for the adorable young Saroo and the handsome adult Saroo and their great performances and emotions. As Richard Lawson of The Vanity Fair described the story and the characters,
“the story of Lion is pretty incredible, and it features a final reunion that, I think, would soften even the hardest of hearts And it’s got a host of strong performances. Young Sunny Pawar, who plays Saroo as a boy, is adorable, which, yes, may be a strange thing to say about a performance in a movie with such heavy subject matter, but what can you do. He’s a cute little kid, and he instantly wins our sympathy and concern. Adult Saroo is played by Dev Patel, who works in a more somber tone than we’re used to seeing from him. Saroo is torn between homes, between lives, and Patel effectively communicates that tension.”
No matter how sad the movie can get, always remember the positive message about it. I can’t confidently mention a flaw about the movie, because I personally find it perfect. Hope is always the way back and hope is always the reason to start. With hope everything is possible and everything is achievable no matter how crazy it sounds. Lion has taught me patience and love. Lion taught me to appreciate what I have and work hard for what I don’t. The voice of young Sarou haunts me in difficult situations, if Sarou could do it, I can too! Never lose hope and never let pain drain you. Hope for the good, get the best!
Lion is an unforgettable movie that will always bring smiles of joy and tears of pain while watching. It will change your way of thinking about life and give you hope in hopeless situations. This is the movie that you want your children and young teenagers to watch and learn from. Lion is the movie that tells you to get up, be determined and just do it. I fell in love with every detail about the movie and I will always describe it as the best movie I have ever watched. Saroo Brierley walked his way to happiness in the hard way, Saroo Brierley was brave enough to challenge everyone around him, and only listen to his inner voice. Saroo Brierley’s strength and ambition earned him his title, Saroo Brierley is a Lion.
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