Harvey Weinstein is someone who knows how to make Oscar catnip. Films like The Imitation Game, The King's Speech, and Philomena are all films that fit the Academy’s typical mold while also being commercially viable as well because all three films made at least $100m worldwide. In fact, the first two films made at least $100m domestically.
His upcoming Lion, about an Indian man adopted by an Australian family who sets off to find his birth parents through Google, certainly looks like it'll be a crowdpleaser. It comes out right around Thanksgiving and other Weinstein films that came out around that time like Silver Linings Playbook and The Imitation Game would go on to become Oscar juggernauts. So maybe there really is something to this one. You can watch the full trailer here.
It stars Dev Patel who starred in the Best Picture winner Slumdog Millionaire as well as 2-time Oscar nominee Rooney Mara and Oscar winner Nicole Kidman. Kidman I think could be someone to watch out for in the Supporting Actress race since she looks to have a baity role as the main character's adoptive mother. If there is one thing the Supporting Actress category will never tire of, it's mom roles. Plus, she gets to wear a wig and have a big crying scene so there's some showiness to the performance. Dev Patel could also contend for Best Actor since, like Best Supporting Actress, that category is looking so baron that I absolutely have no idea who to predict. Certainly not until the festivals start taking place (Telluride, Toronto, New York, Venice.)
As a film in general, it looks pretty decent. It's not at the top of my watch list but it doesn't look absolutely unwatchable. I would probably see it if I wanted to get my Oscar homework done before Nomination Day.
What do you guys think? Do you think it looks like a legitimate Oscar contender and do you think it looks like a great film in general? Please feel free to write your thoughts in the comments section. Thanks for reading!
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