The Way Back: Review of Lion

Lion

Director: Garth Davis

By Alex Watson

While this might be a moving picture of rediscovery, Garth Davis' Lion is a picture that pulls at heart strings a little too deliberately. Strong turns from Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman do give this movie a great soul. Director Davis keeps the story well paced and affecting parallels the difference in Saroo Brierley's two separate upbringings. However, you can't help but feel that this is tailor made Oscar bait from the Weinsteins.

Saroo Brierley (Dev Patel/Sunny Panwar) is a boy growing up in rural India to a loving family. One while accompanying his brother, he gets separated and as a result, he is transported over 1600 miles away to Calcutta. Adopted by loving Australian parents Sue (Nicole Kidman) and John (David Wenham), Saroo grows into a mature and caring young man. Even though he has embraced his new home, he still yearns to find his old one. His obsessive search will lead him to Google Earth and maybe a shot at finding his beloved family.

The notion of true identity is the big issue on display in Lion. Early scenes see Saroo's idyllic life living in Phanawar with his mother and brother Guddu. One day while accompanying his brother for a night job, Saroo falls asleep on a train and in a gut-wrenching sequence finds himself awaken on a speeding train. When he arrives in the large and frightening Calcutta, he finds himself forced to wander the busy streets where threats lurk all around. Davis does well to bring forward the daily threats he faces, even from people appear to be kindly strangers Adopted by Sue and John, finally, he finds some stability, although the presence of his other adopted brother Mantosh brings the family its own set of problems. Having grown into a well loved 30-year-old man, Saroo both thrives and feels guilty over his comfortable life.

His eternal restlessness is something that plagues his conscience throughout. His relationship with fellow student Lucy (Rooney Mara) is continually strained by his devotion. Reflecting on the family he left behind, Saroo becomes aware of Google Earth, the problem is he cannot remember the name of his hometown. Sadly the sequence of his frequent browsing on the internet do limit the action of the film. While we feel the passion and dedication that he pours into finding home, at times it feels like a glorified commercial for Google Earth. After a bright and emotionally raw start, the middle ground loses power and constricts us to Saroo looking emotional and lashing out at people. Davis' seems to over emphasise his conflict that he feels with living this happy life and far too much of the picture becomes occupied with him finding himself.

Lion is a picture that visually is a stunning ride and flipping back and forth between the beautiful images of Australia and India very grabbing. As a first time director, Garth Davis has created a very accomplished picture. In particular, his linking of the love that Saroo feels for both sets of his family. Saroo yearns to be reunited with the family he lost but also feels immense guilt lying to the people who raised him. This is not a perfect picture by any means but at the same point, it is one that makes you think about what family truly means. On an emotional level, this movie doesn't go all out and Davis keeps the tears at bay during a well measured last act. This picture will no doubt be popular come awards season, even if it feels a little forced.

Dev Patel makes for an engaging lead as Saroo Brierley. Still digesting the background he has forgotten along with the life he has become accustomed to, Patel excellently portrays a deep inner conflict. Rooney Mara sadly is stranded in what is a somewhat token role as girlfriend Alice, Stuck with mainly nagging Saroo, Mara is given little to work with. Nicole Kidman gives superb support as mother Sue and gives a touching turn. In one brilliant moment, she gives a speech about a vision she had that would lead to her adopting her son. Kidman's heartfelt approach to her character will likely see her among supporting actress nominees.

While you cannot fault Lion for its great story or its ambitions, this just feels like a movie too engineered for awards.

Bi-Centennial Man: Review of Chappie

Chappie

Director: Neill Blomkamp

By Alex Watson

Despite some misgivings and a perhaps flawed central trio, Neill Blomkamp's third effort Chappie is still an intriguing and enjoyable experience nonetheless. Many have seen this movie as simply being an expansion of District 9 and while it doesn't help it is within the same universe, it doesn't hinder the cause either. Whether Blomkamp really is the visionary genius that many have hyped him up to be will remain to be seen. In the meantime however, he is certainly building a solid case.

Set in 2016 Johannesburg, crime has been effectively solved by the introduction of a robotic police force named Scouts. One gang is desperate to pay off a big debt to a crime so in an attempt to get rich quick, they capture the inventor Deon Wilson (Dev Patel). Here they force him to create a robot designed to aid them, Deon then salvages a droid about to be destroyed and turns into an almost human robot called Chappie (Sharlto Copley). But rival creator Vincent Moore (Hugh Jackman) is less than thrilled with this bot delayed his own pet project.

Although dazzling to look at, Chappie unfortunately cannot shake off its slightly weak central narrative. In District 9, the prime focus was on change and a man losing his innocence. Blomkamp here reworks similar themes, but although Chappie's gradually introduction into the world is at times humorous (especially how Fuck Mother becomes his phrase) However it is also overdrawn and at times begins to grate on us! A bold and stunning creation on screen, Copley does a magnificent job of making his movements seem as human as the rest of us. But his childish nature and constant inability to read between the lines weighs the film down when it needs to fire.

The focal point of the movie is the battle for the robots soul, on the one side we have the caring and placid creator Deon who wants Chappie to explore his potential. But on the other more dangerous side we have a gang led by Ninja and Yolandi (both members of rap group Die Antwoord) who want him to be 'the baddest mother'. Both gang members are the flip side of each other, Yolandi comes to love this creation and is very much his mother figure. Ninja on the other hand is all business and wants his companion fighting on the front lines to ensure a big payday.

Although the action becomes thick and fast and there is compelling argument to be held about whether AI are capable of human emotions. Sadly this gets mangled beneath some questionable narrative logic. Why would Ninja, who depends on Chappie just abandoned him to be beaten up by a gang? The thought he might not survive doesn't seem to click. The gang are also rather unappealing due to their greedy nature and vile attitude towards their friend/captive. Also Deon while passionate and caring is rather weak and fails to be the strong human presence that the movie needs. Blomkamp does well and implements more big ideas and visual tricks- but it feels the story should have been given more focus.

Dev Patel is solid as usual post Slumdog Millionaire, but here he fails to really raise his game when required. He effectively nails the nurturing side of the creator, but his wimpish nature makes him too much of a push over. Hugh Jackman has immense fun playing the villain for once, but in truth he fails wasted by Blomkamp and is giving little else to do other than look surly behind a desk. Die Antwoord however both sink and swim the movie, yes they have presence but their rough and villanous nature becomes borderline irritating after a point. Making them the anti-heroes of the film feels like an unwise step by Blomkamp.

Upon reflection, Chappie by no means a bad film and it is one that we really want to love. But at the same point, it doesn't really raise Blomkamp any further after his slightly tarnished previous effort Elysium. On a special effects scale, the man is still able to wow us and his selection as the new Alien director could prove wise. But for future efforts, story line has to be given equal attention.

3 March Movie Picks

Chappie

District 9 maestro Neill Blomkamp returns with another compelling piece which looks to not only continue his great visual eye, but could well capture out hearts! Chappie (voiced by Sharlto Copley) is a robot designed by Deon Wilson (Dev Patel) and is designed to evolve and feel human emotions. But not everyone is thrilled by this concept, including Vincent (Hugh Jackman) and soon Chappie is fighting back against the forces that want to see him destroyed! Knowing Blomkamp this will be another experience to remember!

Release Date: March 6th

The Gunman 

Sean Penn is a man with a grudge this month in Pierre Morel's movie and from the action on display, this could mean lethal results! Martin Terrier (Penn) is an renowned operative who wants nothing more than to quit the game and settle down with his lover. But his organization appears to have other ideas and force him to go on the run! With a supporting cast including Javier Bardem, Idris Elba and Ray Winstone, the quality in this movie is high! Penn isn't known for this sort of role and love or hate the man, he sure has that presence.

Release Date: March 20th 

A Little Chaos

Alan Rickman makes a rare venture behind the camera for his French Renaissance drama piece. Set during the time of King Louis XIV (Alan Rickman), lady gardener Sabine (Kate Winslet) is hired to design a fountain for his majesty. But finds herself roughing feathers when she catches the eye of married socialite Andre La Note (Matthias Schoenaerts) to which society takes an all too close eye to! After wowing audiences at TIFF 2014, it appears this movie has hyped to be believed.

Release Date: March 27th