Lion - The Long Way Home

Actually, five-year-old Saroo (Sunny Pawar) just wanted to help his older brother Guddu (Abishek Bharate) earn a little money for their family. But when Guddu leaves the little boy for a few hours at a railway station in a small Indian town and Saroo falls asleep on a stopping train, his whole life changes in one fell swoop. For after a traumatic train journey lasting several days, he suddenly finds himself on the other side of the continent in Calcutta. In the hectic city, the boy is absolutely lost, knows no one and does not understand the language. Eventually he ends up in an orphanage and is adopted by Australian couple Sue (Nicole Kidman) and John Brierly (David Wenham). The two lovingly care for Saroo, allowing him to have a very happy childhood. But even as an adult, ultimately well-cared for, Saroo (Dev Patel) feels that part of his identity is missing. With the support of his girlfriend Lucy (Rooney Mara), he begins searching for his actual family - but he might as well be looking for a needle in a haystack.

Lion tells the true story of Saroo Brierly, who lost his family as a young boy and, many years later, sought to find his way back home. Director Garth Davis, in his first feature, retells the events in a very moving way without ever drifting into the cheesy, which could have very easily happened, especially towards the end. Even though the second half of the film, which focuses on the adult Saroo's quest, it is the traumatic odyssey of the little boy that leaves a special impression. Sunny Pawar plays so heartbreakingly well that there are tears in your eyes almost throughout here. When Saroo desperately calls for his brother, it really puts a stab in your heart every time.

The scenes in Kolkata are oppressively realistically realised, which also ensures that the first half of the film is so emotionally stirring. Things change a bit in the second part. Here, there are even a few small lengths, which, however, are more than forgivable due to the good acting of the actors alone. The conflict between Saroo and his adopted brother seems a bit too contrived. Nevertheless, it also leaves a certain impression, bringing out a really extremely strong performance from Nicole Kidman, who acts a bit pale in the beginning.

Lion is another example of how life sometimes writes the best stories. Garth Davis has directed a very moving and, in its own way, suspenseful film that is unlikely to leave any viewer dry-eyed. A great work, for which there is only one possible conclusion: Absolutely worth seeing!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp