The two Dev Patel movies Dev Patel needs everyone to see: “Love that”
I’m not really supposed to editorialise in these articles, but I think Dev Patel is the bee’s knees.
From humble beginnings on Skins to his international breakout role in Slumdog Millionaire to latest career chapter as a director, there is seemingly nothing he can’t do. On top of his professional accomplishments, he also seems like a standup guy, and he’s really handsome. Alright, I’ll keep my opinions to myself from now on.
The star – who once broke up a knife fight in real life (that’s the last bit of hero worship, I promise) – doesn’t feel like he’s been around for that long, but he’s already amassed an impressive roster of movie credits. Rather than listen to me or anyone else wang on about his greatest hits, why not take it from the man himself? Patel spoke to Collider and told them where he thinks people who are new to his work should start.
“I did a film called Lion with a wonderful director, Garth Davis,” he said. “It’s about this kid who gets separated from his family in India and grows up in Australia and tracks them down via Google. But every performance in that is breathtaking. The young child, Sunny [Pawar], in that – oh my god. It’s really a hopeful, resilient story. Love that.”
Based on a true story, Lion follows the story of Saroo Brierly (Patel as an adult, Pawar as a child), an Indian man who was adopted by an Australian couple as a young boy. After decades without contact, he sets off to find his real family. This sort of story might sound trite, but Davis, Patel, and all involved play it exactly right. Their success resulted in six nominations at the Oscars, including a ‘Best Supporting Actor’ nod for the Brit.
If you think Patel was done recommending his own work, then you are very much mistaken. “If you’re up for something a little bit weirder, David Lowery. I did this movie with him called The Green Knight. I just think he is a magical human being, and his brain, the way it works and the kindness he imbues in his process…”
This movie is about as different from Lion as you could possibly get. It’s based on the medieval British poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, with Patel starring as the first half of that occasion. A brash nephew of the legendary King Arthur, Gawain foolishly accepts a challenge laid down by the titular warrior (Ralph Ineson) that places him in mortal danger. What follows is a journey straight out of Aldous Huxley, full of strange encounters and otherworldly hallucinations. It leans heavily into its fantasy elements and is all the better for it, with Patel once again delivering a tour de force performance.
Lion and The Green Knight aren’t just great films on their own merit. They also show off two very different sides of Patel’s acting abilities. Watching them both in quick succession will give you a great idea of just how talented and varied he is. The whiplash will be worth it.
