Lion Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A kid falls asleep on a train and wakes up to find his parents have replaced him with Nicole Kidman and Google Earth.

🍿 Lion: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Separation and Loss in India

In 1986, five-year-old Saroo lives in a small village in India with his mother and older brother, Guddu. One night, Saroo accompanies Guddu to a nearby train station for work, but falls asleep. When he wakes up, Guddu is gone, and Saroo accidentally boards a passenger train that takes him thousands of kilometers away to Calcutta.

Life as a Street Child

Lost in Calcutta, Saroo doesn’t speak the local language and is too young to identify his home. He struggles to survive on the streets, facing numerous dangers and hardships. He encounters both kindness and exploitation as he navigates the unfamiliar and overwhelming urban environment. Eventually, he ends up in an orphanage.

Adoption and New Beginnings in Australia

Saroo is eventually adopted by an Australian couple, Sue and John Brierley, and moves to Tasmania. He grows up in a loving home and receives an education, assimilating into Australian culture. Despite his new life, Saroo is haunted by memories of his lost family and feels a growing need to find them.

The Search for Home

As an adult, Saroo begins using Google Earth to search for his hometown, relying on fragmented memories from his childhood. The search becomes an obsession, straining his relationships with his adoptive parents and his girlfriend, Lucy. He grapples with guilt and the desire to reconnect with his past.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Saroo Brierley (Dev Patel): Haunted by memories of his past, Saroo, as an adult, embarks on a quest to find his biological family in India using Google Earth.
• Young Saroo (Sunny Pawar): The five-year-old Saroo gets lost in India and faces hardships while trying to survive alone in Calcutta before being adopted.
• Sue Brierley (Nicole Kidman): Saroo’s adoptive mother provides unwavering love and support, grappling with the complexities of raising adopted children.
• Guddu (Abhishek Bharate): Saroo’s older brother, Guddu, inadvertently leads to Saroo getting lost, which haunts Saroo years later.
• Kamla (Priyanka Bose): Saroo’s biological mother endures hardship and holds onto hope of finding her lost son, never giving up.
• Lucy (Rooney Mara): Saroo’s girlfriend provides support but struggles to understand his obsession, eventually leading to their breakup.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Sue Brierley: “I chose to adopt… because there were already enough people in the world.” – Sue explains her decision to adopt Saroo rather than have biological children, highlighting her desire to make a difference.
• Saroo Brierley: “I keep seeing her face. I have to find my family.” – Saroo expresses his growing obsession and the driving force behind his search for his biological family.
• Sue Brierley: “We weren’t a blank page, were we? Like your own would have been. You weren’t just adopting us but our past as well.” – Saroo talks to Sue about the weight of their past and her unconditional love.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $12,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $51,738,905
• Worldwide Gross: $140,853,810

💥 Lion Reviews

Personal Review

I was completely captivated by “Lion”. Sunny Pawar’s performance as young Saroo was heartbreaking and Dev Patel’s portrayal of the adult Saroo’s struggle with identity resonated deeply. When he finally reunites with his mother, I was crying so hard I could barely see the screen. It’s a movie that stays with you long after the credits roll. The scene where he sees jalebi and remembers was so impactful. Absolutely loved it!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of biographical dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in stories of adoption and family”
  • “Those who appreciate emotionally resonant and uplifting films”
  • “Anyone fascinated by true stories of survival and reunion”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Themes of child abandonment and poverty”
  • “Brief depictions of potentially exploitative situations”
  • “Emotional distress and mature themes”
  • “Brief drug use by a secondary character”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “”Lion” is a deeply affecting drama that tells a remarkable true story with sensitivity and skill. Sunny Pawar and Dev Patel deliver outstanding performances, while Nicole Kidman shines as the adoptive mother.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Garth Davis’s direction is impressive, and the film is visually stunning. The first half, set in India, is particularly powerful, while the emotional climax is incredibly moving. Sunny Pawar is exceptional.
• Empire: “A moving and powerful story about family, identity, and the search for belonging. Dev Patel gives a career-defining performance, supported by strong performances from Nicole Kidman and Rooney Mara.

Audience Reactions

The child actor was phenomenal; he made the first part of the movie so emotionally gripping.: Viewers were deeply moved by the powerful performances and the emotional weight of the true story.

Overall Consensus: “Lion” is a critically acclaimed and audience-loved drama praised for its emotional depth, strong performances, and inspiring true story.

Awards

1. BAFTA Award (Best Adapted Screenplay)- 2017

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Sunny Pawar, who played young Saroo, had never been outside of Mumbai before filming. The production team had to get him a passport so he could travel to Australia and other locations.”
• “The filmmakers used a combination of practical effects and CGI to create the scenes of Saroo lost in the crowded streets of Calcutta, ensuring a realistic and immersive experience.”
• “Nicole Kidman has stated that she was drawn to the film because of its powerful message about the unconditional love of a mother, regardless of biological ties.”

🖥️ How to Watch Lion?

Lion is available to stream on various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television airings as well. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Lion, you might like these similar films:

• Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Both films explore themes of poverty in India and one man’s journey of self-discovery against all odds.
• The Pursuit of Happyness (2006): It also tells the true-life story of Chris Gardner, is a similarly uplifting tale of persistence in the face of poverty and social indifference.
• Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002): Another true story about children taken from their homes in Australia and their arduous journey back. Highlights themes of family and belonging.
• Philomena (2013): An Irish woman’s 50-year search for the son she was forced to give up for adoption.
• August Rush (2007): A musically gifted orphan sets out on a journey to find his biological parents.

🛒 Lion Related Products

• A Long Way Home: A Memoir: The incredible true story of Saroo Brierley’s journey, perfect for those who want to delve deeper into the real-life events of the movie. It’s more detailed and provides additional background that’s not in the film.
• Lion (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Experience the emotional score by Dustin O’Halloran and Hauschka. Features Sia’s ‘Never Give Up’. It enhances the feeling and can allow you to re-experience some of the best parts of the movie.
• India Unexplored: A Travel Documentary: Travel documentary exploring Indian culture. See the locations Saroo may have traveled. Learn and feel what the India of his origins may have been like.
• Google Earth Pro Subscription: Relive Saroo’s search with high resolution satellite imagery. See landmarks that helped him to find his family. Now viewers can explore the world to build their understanding of other cultures.

🎧 Soundtrack

Lion features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Never Give Up” – performed by Sia
• “The Sun, The Moon, The Stars” – performed by Hauschka & Dustin O’Halloran
• “Aaja Nindiya Aaja Nainan Beech Sama Ja” – performed by Lata Mangeshkar

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

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“Be Prepared” Analysis from The Lion King | Disney Music Breakdown

Get ready to dive into the iconic villain song ‘Be Prepared’ from ‘The Lion King’! This video breaks down the music, symbolism, and character motivations behind this unforgettable tune. It’s a must-watch for any fan of Disney music and storytelling.

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