Secondhand Lions (2003)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Tim McCanlies

Writer (WGA):

Tim McCanlies (written by)

Release Date:

19 September 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Family

Plot:

A coming-of-age story about a shy, young boy sent by his irresponsible mother to spend the summer with his wealthy, eccentric uncles in Texas.

Plot Keywords:

Money | Texas | Lion | Biplane | Animal Attack

Awards:

5 nominations

Cast

Michael Caine	...	Garth
Robert Duvall	...	Hub
Haley Joel Osment	...	Walter
Kyra Sedgwick	...	Mae
Nicky Katt	...	Stan
Josh Lucas	...	Adult Walter
Michael O'Neill	...	Ralph
Deirdre O'Connell	...	Helen
Eric Balfour	...	Sheik's Grandson
Christian Kane	...	Young Hub
Kevin Haberer	...	Young Garth
Emmanuelle Vaugier	...	Jasmine
Adam Ozturk	...	The Sheik
Jennifer Stone	...	Martha
Mitchel Musso	...	Boy

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic material, language and action violence.

Runtime:

111 min | USA:109 min | Argentina:120 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:LH | Malaysia:U | Netherlands:6 | South Korea:12 | Germany:o.Al. | Australia:M (original rating) | Australia:PG (DVD rating) | Brazil:Livre | Canada:PG | Finland:K-11 | Peru:PT | Singapore:PG | UK:12 (video rating) | UK:PG (theatrical rating) (cut) | USA:PG (certificate #40021) | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

New Line Cinema

Trivia:

In the fight scene with Robert Duvall against the four teens, one of the actors playing one of the men, Travis Willingham, was hit three times in the face by Robert. Due to a miscommunication, Robert reportedly told Travis afterward that he thought he was a stunt man and was supposed to hit him. The cut used was the final one when Travis's nose finally started to bleed.

Goofs:

Continuity: During Hub's fight with the teens, no one lays a hand, or knife on him. At the end it can be clearly seen that Hub's shirt is whole. When they get back to the farm, he has several small knife holes in the upper left.

Quotes:

Walter: I've been to the orphan home before. I don't wanna go back.

Movie Connections:

Featured in On the Set with 'Secondhand Lions' (2004) (V)

Soundtrack:

Let Me In

Secondhand surprise

This movie was worth-watching. The characters are well-drawn and sympathetic. Just as young Walter (Haley Joel Osment) gets to know his great uncles (Michael Caine and Robert Duvall), we are introduced to this pair of "Secondhand Lions". Just as Walter learns to trust these two eccentric strangers after a lifetime of lies from his untrustworthy mother, we are allowed to learn the lessons of life in pace with him. There are no plot tricks, just eye-widening revelations as the story unfolds at a satisfying pace.

This is not a small quiet story, however. There is the rumor of a hidden fortune of which, it seems, everyone from relatives to traveling salesmen has heard. There are hints that it was obtained through the uncles' adventures but also that it might be ill-gotten gains. Along with Walter, the audience discovers the truth of the rumor.

There is action, comedy, danger, acts of courage, defiance, and tragedy that is part of human frailty. It's wonderfully accomplished in a way that allows older children to enjoy it with their parents. You have characters with whom you can identify no matter what your stage in life.

The director skillfully weaves the past and the present and still manages to preserve the confirmation of story until the very end. I don't want to say too much about this movie or it will spoil the fun of experiencing/watching it. Don't miss this movie.