This film had me in tears. I'm in a comfortable setting in USA watching a movie based on a book (
A Long Way Home [Penguin, 2013]) about a 5 year old boy lost in India who is orphaned when his family can't be located and adopted by an Australian couple who raise him to adulthood and is haunted by memories of his loving mother and brother back in India. His name is Saroo and his early life took place in poor circumstance, but was filled with love, thanks to his "Mum." He eventually reunites with his first family with help from Google Earth. This is a true story with a happy ending though filled with sadness. So, so many children are homeless.
This movie is provocative in that it will goad the well-off into thought about what might be done to solve the problem. If a viewer takes action to help orphans, the movie has achieved its purpose. It's a film with a message.
This is a film which is beautiful in its structure and imagery. Thanks to Saroo for documenting his story in writing and to the filmmakers for their careful and thoughtful art. In ending, I ask, dear God, why?
