Dove Review

Based on a true story, “Lion” is an amazing piece of work and of storytelling that will touch the human emotions. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director (Garth Davis), the acting, story, and direction are all topnotch. An interesting aspect of the story is that a young boy, Saroo (played by Sunny Pawar as a boy and Dev Patel as an adult), is separated from his brother and then lost. He has images of his beautiful mother and brother in his head, as well as his baby sister, and of his home, but he is adopted by an Australian couple and, for a time, moves forward with his life. However, he cannot forget about his past life and cannot help wondering whatever happened to his real family.

An interesting part of the movie is that the ability to actually find his lost family occurs due to modern technology—and just when he needs it and yearns to find them. He also keeps his search for his family from his adopted family, not wishing to hurt them. Later on, when they learn of it, his adopted mother Sue (Nicole Kidman) tells him she supports it. She is proud of Saroo and knows his real mother would be too.

This movie features various touching scenes, including those of people being kind to Saroo and trying to help him when he is lost. Due to the implied sex between a grown Saroo and a young woman, we are not awarding the film our Dove Seal. But the love of home, and family, and making the most of difficult situations are all themes found in this movie and can be commended.

Dove Rating Details

0

Faith

None

0

Integrity

People hurt themselves, such as banging their heads against walls or hitting themselves with their fists; an adopted boy shows a lot of anger by hitting himself with his fists; some street guards are a bit physical and tough on characters on the street; a character is almost hit by a bus but is okay; it's said a kid was hit by a train; guards grab up kids; a boy is nipped by a passing motorcycle but is okay; a character hits a wall in anger.

3

Sex

A couple kisses in a few scenes; a couple is in bed together, undressed, although nothing graphic is seen; implied sex between an unmarried couple; one man seems to show an unusual interest in Saroo, possibly sexual, and touches his face, but nothing happens.

1

Language

O/G-1.

2

Violence

People hurt themselves, such as banging their heads against walls or hitting themselves with their fists; an adopted boy shows a lot of anger by hitting himself with his fists; some street guards are a bit physical and tough on characters on the street; a character is almost hit by a bus but is okay; it's said a kid was hit by a train; guards grab up kids; a boy is nipped by a passing motorcycle but is okay; a character hits a wall in anger.

2

Drugs

Smoking in several scenes; alcohol in several scenes including beer and wine; the drinking of champagne; one character could possibly be hooked on drugs; another character says this particular character might go "back on the hard stuff"; a man is mentioned as having been an alcoholic.

2

Nudity

Several scenes of shirtless men including bathing in a river; part of a woman's breast is seen but it is not graphic; cleavage.

2

Other

A family steals coal in order to buy milk; a few aspects of Hinduism are seen in the film including an idol; tension between characters; the importance of adoption is clearly seen in this film; belching; kids have to work to help family earn a living.