Review of Lion (2016) by Rick-Cast — 03 May 2020

Although it is thoughtful and emotional, I felt that it failed on getting us hooked on feeling sympathy and emotionally driven for the main characters. I felt that the direction and writing of the movie was not thought out properly by the screen play writers and editors. It fells like there was a lot of ellipsis editing. I didn't like that in the beginning the first act was rushed leading you to the second act immediately. In only the first ten minutes, you are introduced to Saroo and immediately immersed into the character being lost. It felt like there wasn’t much focused on his life growing up, Were was his father? . did he die when Saroo was born did he leave him after his sister was born. The editors and screen writers failed to show how close of a relationship he even had with his mother or sister. U feel as if there is so much missing from beginning sequences that were shot, that you couldn’t see how much of a person Saroo is. This is based off of a true story .Not a character that we’re supposed to feel for written by some writer who had an idea about a boy who gets lost from his parents . All this led me to not feel any connections to Saroo, of feel any sympathy when he got separated from his family. as I stated we do not know much about his family and culture which made the character feel a bit unlikable. we know he's a good boy who helps his mother but it is un realistic that he seems to be very well adjusted to being lost in a city for a 5-year-old. The character does not know where he is, can’t speak the same language yet adjusted fine. I love that Although clearly struggling he has shown to be wise and independent despite being so young. This is not the case threw out the hole movie3 as the character dose develop into a more likable and relatable person. However it did not make the ending sconce any more satisfying and emotionally reliving. when he reunites with his family it feels hollow at first but due to the acting the screen play writers you don’t feel that you miss the family just as much as he did and you are glad that they are finally together again. Over all the hole journey feels manipulative as if you are only told that you should feel sorry for Saroo and that you should want him to reunite with his family.

The lighting in this movie is spectacular. The film crew and editors have gone above and beyond to capture the true essence of this movie. after Saroo got lost, the colors in the film were dull, they became dark grays that were panning into pure darkness. Demonstrating lifeless symbolization of Saroo’s feelings of loneliness, hopelessness and depressive fears. Once Saroo was adopted the cinematography and coloring effects were changed completely, it went from being dull to bright and colourful. It was great how realistic and angelic it was when the sun shined on Nicole Kidman as they bring Saroo home in the car.

The camera work and editing is what made this film. Its so well done that it is almost indescribable. The director films so smoothly and creates a child's perspective, by setting the camera at the hero's shoulder level . this makes it seem as if u are walking around with Saroo, as he wanders around the city. As the camera zooms in slowly to his feet and pans out ahead, u feel like with every step he takes your beside him watching over him. I felt like his brother still beside him on their journey together. however, it didn’t help make the journey any more traumatizing. I enjoyed the scene were Saroo runs through the tunnel. the camera is positioned at eye level to show his vulnerability. The camera angels are smoothly panned out to other sense making it seem like they are from a child’s point of view. You can definitely experience the fear of being a small child.

You can tell they put a lot effort into researching the cultural life of India. The makeup artists and designers created a realistic view of how life is in India. Everything seemed so life like from the busy people at the train station to the scene where he prayed before taking the apple. Though The movie Lion has bad direction, it’s strong use of cinematography, lightning and music gives enough emotional weight to the story for me to recommend watching this movie.