Lion

Almost every year there's a number of movies bound to be an also-ran in almost every major category, especially since the possibility for ten Best Picture nominees exists. Movie fans are generally able to spot the pedigree. Critically acclaimed, usually well-acted but just small or familiar enough to be overshadowed by other films. This year's perennial also ran looks to be Lion a small heart-felt drama featuring Oscar nominated performances from Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman.

The movie tells the story of Saroo Brierley, a five year old boy in India who is accidentally separated from his older brother. Now over a thousand miles from home, Saroo begins a quest to reconnect with his family that will carry into his adult life.

Lion's structure makes it very difficult to review because it's essentially a two part film. As such I'll give you a quick summation of my thoughts and move on from there. It's an effective drama about loss, family, and connection with great performances from Dev Patel (who uses an impressively cultivated accent) and Nicole Kidman. You've seen stories like this before, but the simplicity of the story and the emotive directing keep the movie from diving into melodrama. It's a solid film.

*Slight spoiler warning ahead*

The story of Lion is split into two-parts, one of which I think is more effective than the other. The first section deals with Saroo's separation from his family and the tumultuous time that leads to his eventual adoption by an Australian couple (Nicole Wenham and Nicole Kidman). While I have no doubt that the movie is basing this structure on its source material, this segment of the movie isn't as effective for me because it emphasizes the traumatizing nature of Saroo's loss without a strong foundation to his family. I think some of the scenes where young Saroo is put in peril could have been replaced for early family bonding that's brought about in flashbacks later.

If there is one thing I'm thankful for in this sequence it's the filmmakers restraint. There's a lot of implied terrible things happening to children and about to happen to Saroo but none of it is ever described or shown in explicit details. The movie trusts that the idea of child being terrorized by adults is terrifying enough on its own.

Once Kidman and Wenham are introduced the movie gets a tad more interesting as we watch Saroo adjust to his new life and the adoption of his troubled brother. It's a great contrast that demonstrates how similar experiences can affect two young men so differently.

From there we're thrown twenty years into the future as Saroo, now a functional young adult played by Dev Patel, is reminded of his origins and begins a quest to find his family. This is my favorite section of the movie because we get to watch the emotional impact of Saroo's loss and search in very subdued ways. He doesn't have outbursts like his brother. Instead he pulls away from the people he cares about instinctively, because how could they possibly understand or in his adoptive mother's case, encourhage him.

Dev Patel is phenomenal as the older Saroo demonstrating charm when we're first introduced to Saroo's older incarnation and then the emotional wreck simmering beneath, all while maintaining an Australian accent. Nicole Kidman is equally strong in these scenes as Saroo's suffering adoptive mother, not because of any regrets, but because she doesn't understand why her most affectionate son is pulling away from her. Both earn their nominations here.

Garth Davis also does an excellent job in the director's chair shifting effortlessly between events, time, and memories in a dream-like state. It's well suited to the movie's structure. The one decision I didn't fully agree with is the David Fincher-esque lack of light throughout most of the film. I suppose the idea is to put Saroo's life under a haze, considering the missing piece of his life, and things start to light up by finale, but some greater contrast would've helped the film scene to scene.

An effective true story film, Lion's emotional power and restraint makes it stand out against similar inspirational stories. Nominee worthy, even if not a winner.