12 Australian Films You Must See Before You Die
6. Lion
This film was somewhat of a surprise inclusion amongst the best film Oscar nominees in 2017, but it is an honour it absolutely deserved. An equal parts heart wrenching and heart lifting affair, Lion is a film that refuses to pull any punches, in particular during the film's incredible but brutal first act set in the slums of India.
The plot explores the true life story of Saroo, a five year old boy who finds himself separated from his family and confined to an orphanage when he can't tell officials where home is. Saroo is saved by Australians Sue and John Brierley, but only after he barely avoids multiple predators in scenes that display the horrific nature of the Indian slums.
The film jumps forward in time and shows grown up Saroo's attempts to find home once more through the use of Google Earth and his memories. This 'stranger than fiction' tale holds the film through its quieter patches with Dev Patel bringing raw emotion to the role of Adult Saroo. But it is Nicole Kidman's career best performance as the saintly Sue Brierley which moves the movie unmissable.
Kidman was strongly involved in this film financially and emotionally, becoming good friends with her character in real life. This investment is on display throughout as she superbly realises her 'saintly' character in a grounded three dimensional performance that exhibits all the joys, heartbreaks and frustrations that the adoptive mother displayed in real life.