“In India, over 80,000 children go missing each year and there are over 11 million children living on the streets.“ Lion tells the story of one them and a most incredible one that is. Life is actually one big soap opera.

If this movie wasn’t based on a true story it simply couldn’t stand. Suspension of disbelief would crumble under the impossibility of the situations presented. 

Probably to counteract this, the film’s style is very rigorous, cinematography an elegant treat, flashbacks held to a minimum. 3 act classic structure, good old crystal crafting.

The film also works thanks to great casting decisions. Casting is the key, remember. From top to bottom awesome. Dev Patel has grown up and finally gets a role to show it. But this little fellow, Sunny Pawar, is the film’s true gem.