MovieChat Forums > Lion (2017) Discussion > The first half is AMAZING

The first half is AMAZING

posted 8 years ago by endecottp
13 replies | jump to latest

The young lead, Sunny Pawar is terrific (as are all the young children), the pace, story and settings are top notch.It's completely involving and riveting, keeping you locked to the screen. Terrific film making.The second half not so much. The film really falters and seems sluggish and redundant. The pace drags and seems to be stuck. Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman are good but the direction seems to get bogged down and can't figure out where to go.it seems to be stuck in the same dilema over and over. The scenes with the girlfriend don't work but the scenes with Ms. Kidman work well and would like to have had more of her and less of the mediocre girlfriend and less of the unending angst from Patel's character, which does not seem genuine.

[–] anomaleo 8 years ago

I thought the 2nd half was great while the first half had some odd moments (like that police officer in the tunnel doing nothing) and cheesy moments (orphanage children singing a group song, total cheese).

A lot of critics say there's too much angst from Patel but I didn't get that at all and I thought Mara oozes lovelyness. A nothing character but she illuminates the screen.

I think critics confuse the exoticness of the first half for better film-making. The setting and cast are definitely more specific (or nuanced) but the 2nd half packs the emotional pact.

Kidman very good indeed but I hated the 'I need you Saroo' scene. It's pathos all the way.

My two cents. I think it's one of the best films of the year.

[–] Kung_JK 8 years ago

I totally agree with your assement. 100%

First half = great
Second half = so-so

[–] cbnspanky2 8 years ago

I was entranced the entire film. It was over so quickly. I had to wait through the entire credits just to compose myself. I swear I still cried half the way home. My mom died earlier this year and this hit so close to home. I loved it, first half and last.

[–] Mr_Eccentric 8 years ago

Same.

[–] bastille-852-731547 8 years ago

I agree that the first two acts were excellent. It just felt that the ending was too brief and it felt like the story built up to relatively little.

[–] blacknyellowsquid 8 years ago

I agree with you, OP!!

[–] MoviemanCin 8 years ago

I agree.

Schrodinger's cat walks into a bar and doesn't.

[–] naturenomad 8 years ago

100 % AGREE with you, the 2nd half left me slightly underwhelmed especially after reading all the amazing reviews. Rooney Mara is so BORING and ruins it for me kinda. The scene with Nicole Kidman and Dev Patel was excellent acting on all levels but the dialogue felt off to me. The finale was really anti-climatic in my opinion. The first half when the little boy was on the streets trying to survive was so compelling, I wanted to see more of him and that story. Overall I really enjoyed the movie but it was not the flawless movie the critics are raving it out to be.

[–] nickryder9 8 years ago

Yes, first half amazing, second half needed a 15 minute edit to speed up the pace. Not sure the Roony Mara character was needed. She did fine, but seemed like a character the screenwriter shoehorned in.