I’m skipping a review of A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley and instead suggesting that if you don’t already know this incredible story, see the film asap (note that the main difference between the book and film is that the book includes detail about Saroo’s time in India once he was reunited with his biological family, whereas the film ends with the reunion).
Film –
- Because I cried for two hours. All types of crying: sad crying, happy crying, frightened crying, relieved crying
- When you see a five-year-old alone on the streets of Kolkata (Calcutta) it’s terrifying (it was terrifying to read about, but my heart was in my throat watching it)
- For the beautiful footage of Saroo’s reunion with his biological mother (the actual Saroo, not Dev Patel) and when he introduced his adopted and biological mothers – they don’t share a language but they held each other in a way that showed their shared love – unbelievably moving.
As part of the 20 Books of Summer reading challenge, I’m comparing the Belfast summer and Melburnian winter. The results for the day I finished this book (July 14): Belfast 12°-19° and Melbourne 10°-15°.
Oh God, yes, I watched this and absolutely wept as well. Especially the real-life footage you mention at the end—it is so beautiful and wordless and right.
The bit that broke me was when Saroo was first lost and he was looking for his brother at the station. I was sobbing.
LOL I’m stony-hearted and don’t cry in movies, but I did think it was a good movie except for La Kidman. Talk about a wooden performance…
This comment made me smile Lisa. I very rarely cry in movies either, but I did tear up at the end of this one. And like you I find Kidman’s acting wooden in pretty much everything she has ever done.
Dev Patel, however, was luminous.
He was, I agree. A very fine actor:}
Very fine actor… and very handsome too 😉
I, on the other hand, have tear-ducts that operate on a hair trigger! Do you cry in books?
I haven’t read the book but I absolutely loved the movie!
It’s a rare case of film better than book.
This film was doing the rounds when I wasn’t able to get to the cinema but I never knew it was based on a book and real life story
The story was all over the press when it happened but I suspect that was the Australian press because Saroo is now Australian. It really is extraordinary and worth watching if you get a chance.
I know my mum saw it and thought it superb
Watching through ‘parent eyes’, it was terrifying.
I’ve read the book and can’t wait to finally see the film 🙂
Just quietly, the film is better than the book…
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