Lion

Name: Lion
Genre: Drama
Released: November 25, 2016
Duration: 118 min
Rating: 69
Cast: Nicole Kidman

2016

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 45 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 341 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 341 Ratings

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Lion

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Movie Details & Credits

Weinstein Company, The | Release Date: November 25, 2016 | PG-13

Starring: Nicole Kidman

Summary: A five-year-old Indian boy gets lost on the streets of Calcutta, thousands of kilometers from home. He survives many challenges before being adopted by a couple in Australia; 25 years later, he sets out to find his lost family.

Director: Garth Davis

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 118 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Rex Reed

Nov 29, 2016

Once in awhile, a movie comes along that is so touching and sincere, without a moment of false emotion or manipulative self-indulgence, that it establishes squatters’ rights and moves into your heart to stay. Read full review

Katie Walsh

Dec 22, 2016

The beauty of Lion is that it explores and allows for the unique possibilities and power of multiple homes, multiple families and multiple selves. Read full review

Empire Dan Jolin

Jan 16, 2017

An astonishing true story that’s treated with an admirably light and artistic touch, rather than an overly dramatic heavy hand. Despite a weaker second half, it is ultimately deeply moving. Read full review

Kyle Smith

Nov 26, 2016

This is a true story, and at times a gut-wrenching one, even if it necessarily sugarcoats some aspects of the plight of lost children. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

Nov 24, 2016

Once Lion's can't-miss conclusion hovers into view, the film's periodic over-dramatization matters less. A story like this is finally impossible to mess up, and pretending otherwise is beside the point. Read full review

Matthew Anderson

Jan 19, 2017

Its lasting resonance and wider humanitarian message is diluted by a second half that drags it down. Read full review

Peter Debruge

Sep 16, 2016

Fortunately for Davis, he’s got a terrific cast, chief among them the pair of charismatic actors who split the lead role. Read full review

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User Reviews

foxgrove

Dec 17, 2016

A heart rendering drama that will have all but the most cynical stifling sobs for at least half of its running time. This is a powerful and surprising story that is acted to perfection by Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman. Music and cinematography are great enhancers of the overall impact. On theA heart rendering drama that will have all but the most cynical stifling sobs for at least half of its running time. This is a powerful and surprising story that is acted to perfection by Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman. Music and cinematography are great enhancers of the overall impact. On the face of it this felt like it would be just another routine drama, when in actuality it is the most surprising find of the year in cinema. A stunning must see.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

kn55544

Dec 10, 2016

Such an amazing movie. Impossible not to be moved by it. Great performances all around, especially from Nicole Kidman and Dev Patel. Sure Oscar contenders.

4 of 8 users found this helpful44

LeZee

Jun 26, 2017

Lost in India, found in Australia!

Based on the book 'A Long Way Home' that tells the story of a young Indian boy who lost his brother in a railway station in the night and the next morning he woke up thousands kilometers away from home. Not knowing the language or the address and the namesLost in India, found in Australia!

Based on the book 'A Long Way Home' that tells the story of a young Indian boy who lost his brother in a railway station in the night and the next morning he woke up thousands kilometers away from home. Not knowing the language or the address and the names of his family, he struggled from various threats in the society. After that he got adopted from an Australian family and the rest of the film revolved on his true identity. Haunted by his past, how he rediscovered his originality was emotionally told.

Very impressive film. The families should not miss it. Even though it is a must see by all ages. I am not a big fan of Dev's performances, even in his debut film 'Slumdog Millionaire'. After that success, he had survived in the film industry doing decent roles, for like a decade. But it was 'The Man Who Knew Infinity' that changed his career. For the first time I liked him very much in that, and again he was pretty impressive in this. The second best performance in his career. Though his part comes only after the half way mark. Yet in that one hour, he did great, particularly in the sentiments.

I was wondering why it was called 'Lion'. And I got answered only just before the end credit. So you should be patient to learn why, if you are yet to see it. It was not until the 90s the India began to see a real change. This story takes place in the mid 80s, only the opening half and those parts were raw and cruel, especially in the eyes of an 8 year old boy. That kid was so good. Just like Jacom Tremblay, a year before who impressed us with his performance from the film 'Room'.

It was a feature film debut for the director and he was wonderful in this attempt. The film splits into two, the first half was about lost and the following half is about finding the road back to the home. Less dialogues, but well written in those necessary parts. The music was good. Only negative was the film was out of depth. Yeah, all the events were like fast forward. If they had focused on details, the narration would have reached at least 3 hours. Especially I wanted the Australian mother's perspective on how she went through to raise those kids.

Now I'm waiting for the 2020. I mean 2008 was SDM, 2012 was LoP and 2016 was this one. The 4 years later, surely there will be another India related western film would come. Despite this film nominated for the 6 Oscars, it had won nothing. That's very sad. Overall, I strongly suggest it. One of the best films of the Year.

9/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

nixonjane

Jan 17, 2017

In her compelling and subtle performance, Kidman beautifully captures the prickly defensiveness, the lonely dedication, and the suppressed emotional longings of mother.

4 of 8 users found this helpful44

FadeBlack

May 28, 2017

A fantastically well executed movie, for what is at the end pretty much a lost boy going home story. Plenty of interesting elements throughout the movie make for an engaging, and at times very moving watch, but there seemed to be a central skeleton missing here, something to really make it defining.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

VirgonoShaka

Jun 25, 2017

The true story behind Lion is a very nice tale, and I thank this movie for making me aware of it. Unfortunately I have to say that as a movie I'm not too impressed with Lion. The pacing of the film I think is its main problem, because you can't get too emotionally invested in the charactersThe true story behind Lion is a very nice tale, and I thank this movie for making me aware of it. Unfortunately I have to say that as a movie I'm not too impressed with Lion. The pacing of the film I think is its main problem, because you can't get too emotionally invested in the characters before you are making a jump to another thing. The first part of the movie as a child is actually much better at this, but the second half feels a little incomplete. Perhaps with a few more minutes added the pacing may have been improved, but as it is I didn't connect to deeply with the plot or the characters, nor it let me appreciate the quality of their acting. Nevertheless, the movie does have good points, as I said the story is very nice tale, and Dev Patel sells it nicely enough. In conclusion, Lion is a solid movie that tells you a "feel good" story, but it loses itself in parts with its meh pacing. Recommended only if you enjoy the type of story. Final Verdict: 6.7… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Broyax

Oct 4, 2019

Je ne sais pas si toutes les "histoires vraies" méritent d'être traitées au cinéma, aussi incroyables puissent-elles paraître... Mais cela plaira certainement à la ménagère (internationale) de moins de 50 ans ainsi qu'aux mamies du monde entier : c'est plein de gentille guimauve du début àJe ne sais pas si toutes les "histoires vraies" méritent d'être traitées au cinéma, aussi incroyables puissent-elles paraître... Mais cela plaira certainement à la ménagère (internationale) de moins de 50 ans ainsi qu'aux mamies du monde entier : c'est plein de gentille guimauve du début à la fin.

Personnellement, le miséreux adopté qui retrouve sa môman d'origine 25 ans plus tard, je suis content pour lui mais j'abhorre ce film tarte à se mettre des claques, d'une mièvrerie sans borne et d'une niaiserie de très mauvaise qualité qui plus est ! la preuve en est que c'est tellement dilué qu'on s'en tape carrément et en force (pour rester poli bien entendu).

A part ça, c'est le premier film sponsorisé entièrement par Gogole Eursse, ce qui met très mal à l'aise, lorsqu'on sait les agissements de la multi-nationale du Mal et du Malin, le Big Brother numérique omniscient et omnipotent que nous nous devons de conchier tous ensemble !

Et puis de toute façon, ne mangez pas cette saloperie, Lion ça colle aux dents et c'est un complot des dentistes.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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58	#58 Most Discussed Movie of 2016
64	#64 Most Shared Movie of 2016