Secondhand Lions Movie Review:

With the recent entourage of horror and violently themed films, it seems that parents have been gasping for an enduring film for the whole family. There is special new family film opening this weekend called Secondhand Lions.

Based in Texas during the 60’s, the story follows a 14-year old named Walter (Haley Joel Osment), who is practically dumped by his insecure mother (Personal Velocity’s Kyra Sedgwick) to live with his two cranky 60-year old uncles. Walter’s mother tells him that she has to go to school in Fort Worth, Texas, and that he will be with his uncles for a few weeks. Not wanting to be left, Walter also learns that for some reason his uncles disappeared for 40 years, and now that are supposedly filthy rich by means that know one knows. The uncles, Hub (Robert Duvall) and Garth (Michael Caine) are the two temperamental old school men that live on a huge piece of rural land in Central Texas, with many animals and critters roaming around. The two spend their days fishing with shotguns, spitting tobacco, sipping on tea, and scaring away anybody (mostly salesmen), with of course again their shotguns.

Wanting to be left alone, the uncles tell Walter he must take care of himself during his stay. However, the curious teenager begins to grow on the two men and gives them a reason do something with their lives, rather than just sitting out on the porch waiting to die. Walter also constantly badgers his Uncle Garth about the two brothers past adventures, which include stories of their African expeditions, and Hub’s one true love. The stories are seen in flashbacks, and intertwine with development of the character’s relationships and reveals early secrets that arise in the first act. The two uncles lead Walter to cherishing his imagination and to believe in what he wants to believe in.

This film is by no means perfect, but it grows on and it is for sure winner for all ages. Not as exceptional as other family films this year, such as Finding Nemo (2003) or Holes (2003), but Secondhand Lions is terrific in its own way.

Writer/director Tim McCanlies captures this "Texas" film with the dusty atmosphere and a beautiful array of colors. However, his warm and fuzzy family story is inspiring for youngsters, and will tug at your heart. McCanlies’ previously wrote the wonderful and very underrated animated children’s film The Iron Giant (). This filmmaker for sure knows how to capture spirit, texture, and more than anything how to build a likeable connection to his audience. Like Holes, Secondhand Lions has a lot going on it, especially with hidden similes and interpersonal relationships, but the film never comes across as bogged down. It has a strong message in it for children and for adults to grasp life, and to never let your beliefs or imagination falter. Laughs surface throughout the film, as well as a keen essence of adventure in the flashbacks. There is some clumsiness in the script, in which the film is told in a flashback within other flashbacks. However, the charm and kind heartedness of Secondhand Lions overcomes its obvious problems.

The great Robert Duvall and Michael Caine deliver wonderful performances as the two grouchy uncles. As Hub, Duvall exhibits the same rough person that everyone has seen before, but this character has more depth than some of his recent rough roles. The audience actually learns why he is so frustrated, especially with teenagers. As Garth, Caine is convincingly effective as the Texan storyteller, and who better to tell stories than the consistent and well-spoken Michael Caine. Young Haley Joel Osment, now as a teenager, shows range as he continues to grow. Osment is already fantastic, and he can only get better. Kyra Sedgwick also arises, as Walter’s energetic and heavily accented mother.

In a certain way, Secondhand Lions reminded me of Rob Reiner’s The Princess Bride (1987), with its creative storytelling by Caine’s character. In which, in The Princess Bride, Peter Falk tells the film story to a young Fred Savage. Though not nearly as enchanting as The Princess Bride, Secondhand Lions holds its own as a family film. It is not perfect, but it is entertaining.

Grade: B

09/18/03
By Joseph C. Tucker

The tradition of a solid family film filled with intrigue, delightful characters and a sense of adventure seems to be lost in the quagmire of the ever-evolving multiplex. That tradition saw a re-ignition when Disney released HOLES last spring and FREAKY FRIDAY last month. It seems the family film is back in a big way if the trend holds. Before the release of HOLES, studios seemed bent on releasing “brain-dead” comedies and pushing the envelope with computer animation to secure a successful film for the whole brood. Hopefully this is a new era dawning in family entertainment.

With the release of New Line Cinema’s “Secondhand Lions”, a new non-Disney family film revolution could spring forth.

Haley Joel Osment of “Sixth Sense” fame stars as Walter, a neglected and disenfranchised 12-year old boy who is severely lacking a strong male role-model in his life. His delusional mother, Mae (Kyra Sedgwick), learns that her eccentric uncles, Garth (Michael Caine) and Hub (Robert Duvall), have been squirreling away millions of dollars. The uncles have just resurfaced after a 40 year absence and Mae is convinced that if she abandons Walter with them that he will be able to find the riches. Where didn’t the legendary stash come from? Where have Walter’s great uncles been for the last 40 years?

The mysteries and tall-tales are a lot of the fun elements that dwell in this fun and original family film. “Lions” delivers a sense of awe and special bonding a wide-eyed boy might have when searching for a role-model. Writer-director Tim McCanlies finds that whole element of growing up and allows it to flourish within Osment’s character. It’s very magical but how could one not expect magic from the same writer-director who sculpted the nearly flawless animated film, “The Iron Giant”.

There are however flaws in “Lions” and its all-star cast. Osment has grown so much since “Sixth Sense” and looks a lot older than the 12-year old he is playing. Osment, 15, has shot up at least a foot and filled out considerably since his last film. It is hard finding what McCanlies is trying to see in Osment when he looks like he should already know who Santa really is. The disbelief and wonderment are the cornerstones of the film and it’s hard to imagine them in a vastly maturing Osment.

The second flaw is the overtly rugged portrayal by Robert Duvall who becomes the hero in so many of the film’s legendary flashbacks. Duvall only shows a breakdown and some compassion towards the end of the film which seems very flat. Compared to Duvall, Caine’s uncle is a lot more fun as his character’s depth tries to help flesh out the two-dimensional Duvall. Just wish we got more personable with Duvall’s hero character.

I really loved the casting of Emmanuelle Vaugier (TV’s Smallville) Christian Kane (TV’s “Angel”) in the flashback sequences. Their whole story and acting reminded me so much of those old Arabian Nights movies I remember when I was a kid.

There is a lot of cherish in “Lions” and it is a delightful film for the whole family despite some obvious flaws.

4 out of 5

Dean Kish

So Says the Soothsayer

Walter (Osment) was always been left somewhere by his mother (Sedgwick). This summer was no different for he was to spend it with his eccentric uncles Hub (Duval) and Garth (Caine). Not knowing what to do with a 12 year-old boy, the brothers just went on with their lives, keeping themselves to themselves until Garth starts to open up to Walter and regales him with stories of his and Hub’s action filled youth. Keeping their business their own was becoming all the more harder by the constant salesmen and relatives coming to their remote house, as rumours spread that the pair are sitting on a fortune.

Sometimes a movie comes along that is just plain nice and Secondhand Lions is one of those films.

Writer/Director Tim McCanlies has produces an extremely likeable piece of entertainment that makes you sit through the entire film with a smile on your face. Charming, eccentric characters, an intriguing backstory and a heart warming central plot make this excellent family fare.

The three leads have great chemistry as they bounce off each other, reluctantly forming a family bond. Robert Duval and Michael Caine are always a joy to watch. They both embody the ideal of the consummate actor that can fit into any role. Duval’s hardnosed, distant character with action packed but tragic past is the most defined of the three leads as the movie stems from his performance. Caine’s Garth is the storyteller and the support in life and character, adding the humanity to the pair. Haley Joel Osment looks like he is growing into a fine actor and might not just be the flash in the pan, child sensation people expected him to be. His interactions with the two older statesmen are what hold the story together.

There is also good support in the flashback sequences from Christian Kane as young Hub, Kevin Haberer as young Garth and Emmanuelle Vaugier as the love of Hub’s life Jasmine.

In fact it is these flashback sequences that make the story. The tales of Hub and Garth’s past are suitably over the top, told as tall tales by a loving brother who has a habit for exaggerating the truth. You don’t know whether they are fantastical yarns or factual events, which leaves you guessing if everything is true right until the very end.

It might be slightly overlong and abit sugary sweet in parts but you can’t help liking this film. Secondhand Lions is a good, old-fashioned family matinee movie that will keep a smile on your face long after the credit roll.

Star Rating = * * * *

Jamie Kelwick

Site Contents Copyright© The Z Review, unless used with permission.This site has no intention to infringe on the rights of the film owners of Secondhand Lions and intellectual copyright holders of the movies mentioned herein & hold copyright over the movie, characters, merchandise & storyline.