12 Most Desperate Oscar Grab Movies Of 2016
8. Lion
Remember 2008’s Slumdog Millionaire? Remember how it was set in India, based on a book, starred British actor Dev Patel and went on to win a slew of Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay? Well, Australian director Garth Davis’ debut feature Lion has all of that (minus the Oscar wins as yet, of course) plus a real-life protagonist – an Oscar bait-worthy offering if there ever was one.
Admittedly, it’s a lovely film that’s already earned itself lots of glowing reviews. It tells the tale of Saroo Brierley – a man who as a young kid got separated from his family in India, ended up living rough on the streets of Kolkata, was eventually adopted by an Australian family and years later tracked down his biological family using Google Earth.
Patel gives an outstanding performance as Saroo helped along with a co-starring cast of big names including Nicole Kidman and Rooney Mara in a heart-rending tale that’s no doubt twanged many a heartstring. It’s undeniably a quality example of Oscar bait, but Oscar bait nonetheless.