Michael Caine

Robert Duvall

Haley Joel Osment

Josh Lucas

Kyra Sedgwick

Christian Kane

Nicky Katt

Eric Balfour

Kevin Haberer

Emmanuelle Vaugier

Mitchel Musso

Marc Musso

Michael O'Neill

Deirdre O'Connell

Adam Ozturk

Jennifer Stone

Joe Stevens

Morgana Shaw

Adrian Pasdar

Dameon Clarke

Jason Douglas

Rick Dial

Jo Harvey Allen

Eugene Osment

Travis Willingham

Kanin Howell

Brian Decaro

Billy Joe Shaver

Daniel Brooks

Nick Price

Rory Thost

Tim McCanlies

Austin Anderson

Diane Towery

David Kirschner

Gary Jones

Mark Kaufman

David J. Bomba

Jack N. Green

David Moritz

Toby Emmerich

Ed Johnston

Emily Schweber

Patrick Doyle

Walter Scott

Víctor Quintero

Ramon Frank

Joey Hamlin

David Efron

Joe Bucaro III

Jessica Schwartz

Payson Burt

Will Cascio

Tony Lee Boggs

R.L. Tolbert

Ann Scott

Jeffrey J. Dashnaw

Family

Comedy

Secondhand Lions

New Line Cinema

United States of America

English

farm

texas

lion

money

eccentric

veteran

uncle nephew relationship

teenage protagonist

Peter McGinn

I found Secondhand Lions to be a pleasant and entertaining watch overall. The manner in which the past history was told to the boy reminded me of Peter Falk in the Neverending Story, but I guess there are only so many ways you can have an old man relate an adventure yarn to a youngster.

Some of the storyline seemed rather predictable to me, but there were enough surprising little touches to keep me interested. It was well worth the time. It was apparently considered to be a transitional role for the young lead actor, Haley Joel Osmont, from The Sixth Sense and Pay It Forward, to more mature roles. 

Interestingly, when it showed comic strips drawn by the boy as an adult, it reminded my strongly of Walt Kelly’s Pogo, and the character’s name is also Walt. But it was probably just my perception, for I read the fictional strips were drawn by Berke Breathed, an excellent cartoonist In his own right, who was apparently influenced by the a Doonesbury strip, not Pogo.

_**Learning about life from your two eccentric uncles in central Texas**_

In the summer of 1962, a troubled, introverted boy (Haley Joel Osment) is dropped off by his dubious mother (Kyra Sedgwick) at the remote home of his two great-uncles in central Texas (Michael Caine and Robert Duvall). His money-loving mom and other relatives are only interested in their (supposed) hidden cache of wealth while the kid simply needs their acceptance, wisdom and love. 

"Secondhand Lions" (2003) is a quirky coming-of-age drama that combines elements of “A Perfect World” (1993) and “Sling Blade” (1996) with the amusement of Indiana Jones, “Simon Birch” (1998) and “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” (2000). It’s entertaining, enlightening and heartwarming all at the same time. Yet it’s more than just a coming-of-age drama because it effectively addresses one’s usefulness in life after his/her physical prime. It’s also a good animal flick, although they’re peripheral.

The film runs 1 hour, 49 minutes, and was shot in the Austin, Texas, area, including Pflugerville, Manor (fight at store) & Lockhart, Texas.

GRADE: B

Secondhand Lions (2003) Official Trailer - Michael Caine Movie

Secondhand Lions (2003) Trailer

Secondhand Lions( 2003)

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A review by Peter McGinn

Written by Peter McGinn on Thu Sep 24 2020

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