Lion is a 2016 film based on Saroo Brierley's autobiographical novel, A Long Way Home. The film tells the story of a 30-year-old man who was adopted at the age of five in India and now lives in Australia, who travels back to India in an attempt to discover his true identity and reconnect with his long-lost family. The film is based on the true story of Saroo Brierley, who consulted on the film. It is director Garth Davis's debut feature-length film.
Upon its release, the film received an outpouring of support and praise from around the world, with Saroo's story touching the heart of millions worldwide. Accordingly, Lion received two BAFTA awards, for Dev Patel as Best Supporting Actor and Luke Davies for Best Adapted Screenplay. Despite not winning any of the six Oscar nominations it received, the film went onto amass $140.3 million worldwide at the box office.
Reviews were overwhelmingly positive. Critics praised the sensitive telling of the story, Davis' visually stunning direction, and the moving performances of main actors Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, and Sunny Pawar, who played young Saroo. In his review of the film, Peter Travers wrote for Rolling Stone, "No spoilers about how things turn out, but Davis rigorously avoids turning real-life misfortune into Hollywood treacle. Kudos to Kidman, whose unglam, unguarded take on the role is emotionally powerful and true; her scenes with Patel provide just the right blend of grit and grace. And the young star, maturing nicely past the boyish enthusiasm he showed in Slumdog Millionaire and Marigold Hotel films, enters a new phase of his career with fierce commitment. Lion is one from the heart."
