‘Lion’ benefits from the world’s cutest 8-year-old

If you still haven't seen "Lion," the based-on-real-events movie that's playing at both the Magic Lantern and AMC River Park Square, you'll still have plenty of chances. The film will continue through next week at least.

"Lion" tells the true story of a 5-year-old Indian boy who, by circumstance, gets separated from his family and, thousands of kilometers from home, can't find his way back. He is forced to survive on the streets of Calcutta and eventually is placed in an orphanage, from which he eventually is adopted by an Australian couple. Some 25 years later, after years of anxiety, he returns to India and attempts to retrace his steps home.

Just for the record, the Garth Davis-directed film has been nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Two of the awards are for the supporting performances put in by Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman. It's worth noting that Patel won the equivalent award at the recent British Academy Awards ceremonies.

But the real treat that "Lion" offers is the performance of a first-time actor. Sunny Pawar is an 8-year-old from Mumbai who was found after the movie's producers sent out a country-wide casting call. One of three finalists, he eventually won the role.

Here are some comments about Pawar's performance:

Moira Macdonald, Seattle Times: "The first half involves an enchanting 5-year-old boy named Saroo (Sunny Pawar, irresistible)."

Stephanie Zacharek, Time magazine: "Saroo (is) played by captivating child actor Sunny Pawar … Part of the reason the movie deflates is that it’s so hard to say goodbye to young Saroo, a bright, self-reliant kid with whose optimism is galvanizing."

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: "Davis is … helped immeasurably by the casting of young Sunny Pawar as the boy Saroo. A neophyte as an actor, this tiny, self-possessed performer is electric, using his expressive eyes to convey emotions that are unmistakable but still restrained."

Yeah, Patel and Kidman are OK. As is David Wenham as the husband of Kidman's character. But "Lion" belongs to Pawar, and it isn't quite the same when he exits the picture.