Soon enough, a three-year-old Charlie almost kills a family member. John makes the decision to sell him to a bunch of ruthless hunters, led by the uber-sleazy Dirk (Brandon Auret). Seeing no other way, Mia and Charlie make a run for it to a remote animal reservation, first by foot, then by car, then by foot again, as her parents – and what seems like the region’s entire police force – chase them through African landscapes.
“…deals with overcoming homesickness and important messages of wildlife preservation…”
Speaking of, the film is beautifully shot, DoP Brandan Barnes capturing stunning locations in their full, gold-tinted glory. Daniah De Villiers not only convincingly portrays a relatable, spunky young woman, but she’s also startlingly natural in breathtaking scenes involving her being “playfully” leaped on by a grown-up Charlie; or just the two frolicking around, her face one swipe of a gargantuan paw away from being ripped off entirely. A particularly impressive, though far-fetched, scene sees Mia and Charlie make their way through a populated shopping district. The blue-eyed lions, each portraying Charlie at a different stage in his life, are the stars of the show; it’s also just refreshing to see real animals, as opposed to pixels.
Langley Kirkwood plays John as irredeemably evil, at least until the end, where his redemption feels undeserved. Mélanie Laurent, still best known in the US for her role as Shosanna in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, does her best to balance his abhorrent behavior with her inherent gentleness, but it takes Mia’s tranquilizer gun to ultimately bring John down. Gilles de Maistre embraces sap: a soundtrack accompanies lengthy interludes so granola, you’ll probably feel like you’ve had a full breakfast afterward. “I know you’re dangerous,” Mia earnestly says to a lion, “but would you really kill someone you love? Please answer me!” Also, as a side-note, Owens’ maid, Jodie (Lillian Dube), a source of continuous awkward comic relief to the blisteringly white family, straddles the fine line of racial stereotyping.
Mia and the Lion deals with overcoming homesickness and important messages of wildlife preservation – praiseworthy themes, bound to resonate with kids. They are unfortunately spelled out by characters who are either “good” or “bad.” Good-looking but predictable and schlocky, Mia and the White Lion is ultimately saved from slaughter by its two plucky heroes.
Mia and the White Lion (2019) Directed by Gilles de Maistre. Starring Daniah De Villiers, Mélanie Laurent, Langley Kirkwood.
6 out of 10
I was hoing to watch this movie however after reading your review I quickly changed my mind. I had no idea that this was occurring during the filming of this movie. It opened my eyes at this awful treatment of these beautiful animals. When will people understand these are wild animals. It’s really unforunate that’s it’s all about money and these animals have to suffer for these people’s greed and total disregard for these innocent animals. Thanks for your honest and informative review
Where is the real Charlie at now
Charlie and all the other lions from the film are living at the Kevin Richardson Wildlife Sanctuary. There they will live out the rest of their lives without fear of being trophy hunted. You can see videos of them if you go to Kevin Richardson’s YouTube channel (lion whisperer TV). Or you can travel to South Africa and see them in person, like I did.
This movie is not beautiful, nor does it aid conservation, or teach viewers anything about respecting lions or other wild animals. The lions you see here were bought from a captive lion breeding farm solely for the purpose of making this movie. Casting calls were held at Ukutula Lion Farm, which breeds hundreds of lion cubs each year, removes them from their mothers (just like Mia’s father removes Charlie from his and give him to Mia) and then allows tourists to play with them. Older lions are used for lion walking, and then sold to other breeding farms or into the canned hunting industry. Gilles de Maistre and Kevin Richardson knew this, and still used Ukutula for casting, and them purchased five lion cubs from them, directly participating in the industry their movie vilifies. In addition, the much admired relationship of the actress and lion is hugely problematic in real life as evidenced by the fact that one of Richardson’s other lions (not used in the film) escaped his control and fatally mauled a woman at his sanctuary while this movie was being filmed there. That woman’s death has been largely covered up, and not addressed, while the interaction between young woman and captive lion in Mia And The White Lion has been glorified and promoted.
Buying lions from the captive breeding lion industry only supports that industry. Showcasing the interactions between captive lions and humans, only makes other humans want to interact with lions. de Maistre is already filming ANOTHER movie that involves captive wolves trained to perform with people. We’re supposed to be evolving above forcing animals to perform, but while circuses are maligned (rightfully) for using animals in performances, and have now been banned from doing so in many places, people like Richardson, who are buying and using lions for performances, are being applauded for doing so, and even worse, their use of the animals is being marketed and *good* for the species.
Please, rethink supporting this movie.
Yea, the death was not covered up. In fact it’s one of the first things that pops up on google search. Second, the lion that attacked was not “under his control” as they’re not trained. He’s only developed a bond with them over time. Every lion he’s come in contact with was captive breed and doomed. He’s given them the best life they could have under these circumstances. Also, when on walks with the lions they are free to do what they want. That woman got out of the car, and was instructed not too. There were consequences to that. He also states infatically do not try this at home. And in my humble opinion, if you do, you deserve what you get. As for the people who pay to pet cubs and walk them and so on, awareness is key. The more people know what that Instagram pic actually cost and are rightfully fuckin shamed, the less their will be a demand for it. Breeding lions become worthless. Then you have to wonder, what happens to those captive bred lions once their owners deem them worthless? A bullet most likely. So people like Kevin aren’t gonna look so bad. One of his lions is 21 years old. He doesn’t just use them like a first wife, for youth and beauty. He makes a promise and sticks to it. Too take care of them the rest of their lives.
Great review! I saw this in Europe last week and loved it! You nailed it, Mr. Saveliev.