'Lion' begins with familiar drama beats before it gravitates into uplifting perfection

Rating: 9/10 (29 September 2017)

'Lion' is a biographical tale about a 5 year old Indian boy who becomes lost, stranded thousands of kilometres from home. He manages to persevere, surviving a frightening passage of time and dealing with the challenges before he gets adopted by an Australian family. 25 years later, he sets out to find his real family. Its powerful stuff.
Sunny Pawar makes an impressive debut. The young actor is the heart and soul of the first half of the film, connecting your emotions with his plight of being lost, invested in seeing him safe. He wanders hungry and confused, whilst all manner of undesirables prey on his vulnerability. Dev Petel then brings the character even more depth years later as he comes to terms with his feelings regarding his real family, understandably empty knowing his mother and brother never knew of his fate/survival.
Then the whole film is complemented by a beautiful soundtrack that gradually gravitates towards uplifting perfection in Lion's final teary and well-earned moments. A truly mesmerising, true story that's been expertly transformed into a highly watchable drama that encapsulates the powerful nature of the human spirit that resides within us all.
9/10!