loading...
Secondhand Lions
2003
Set in Texas in the 1950s, SECONDHAND LIONS tells the touching story of Walter (Haley Joel Osment), a shy teenager sent to stay with two estranged uncles for the summer. Various rumours surround the two uncles (played by Robert Duvall and Michael Caine), mostly because the duo have only recently resurfaced into family life .. Read more
| Starring | Robert Duvall, Michael Caine, Haley Joel Osment |
|---|---|
| Director | Tim McCanlies |
| Genres | Drama, Family |
loading...
Secondhand Lions
Set in Texas in the 1950s, SECONDHAND LIONS tells the touching story of Walter (Haley Joel Osment), a shy teenager sent to stay with two estranged uncles for the summer. Various rumours surround the two uncles (played by Robert Duvall and Michael Caine), mostly because the duo have only recently resurfaced into family life after 40 years spent carrying out illicit activities. The one fact about the men, of which Walter's family is only too aware, is that they appear to be extremely wealthy, having stashed over one million dollars in cash at an undisclosed location. After initially balking at Walter's inherent shyness and nervous disposition, the two men soon warm to the child, and proceed to tell him some incredible tales of their adventures.
Director Tim McCanlies lets SECONDHAND LIONS unfold at a leisurely pace, allowing Caine and Duvall to play off each other and slowly bring Osment's character out of his shell. As all the characters become invigorated by the stories and tall tales, a neat bond is formed between them, with some touching interplay and valuable lessons in life for Osment. This is a moving coming-of-age film that the whole family can enjoy.
| Starring | Robert Duvall, Michael Caine, Haley Joel Osment |
|---|---|
| Director | Tim McCanlies |
| Studio | ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 49 mins Blu-ray: 1 hr 49 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama, Family |
| Language | DVD: English Blu-ray: English |
| Released | DVD: 16 Feb 2004 Blu-ray: unknown Production year: 2003 |
| Format | DVD |
-
Critics' reviews (6)
View all -
Child star Haley Joel Osment (who proved what a fine if disconcertingly remote actor he is in The Sixth Sense and AI: Artificial Intelligence is joined by two masters of screen acting in this charming period comedy drama. He plays a teenager who is sent to stay with his yarn-spinning great-uncles (Michael Caine and Robert Duvall) — two cranky old men who, rumour has it, have a legendary stash of loot hidden on their remote Texan homestead. Caine and Duvall succeed in creating a sense of mystery and mischief, but this is unfortunately dissipated each time director Tim McCanlies flashes back to their all-action past (their younger selves are played by Kevin Michael Haberer and Christian Kane). The comedy is corny and the suspense is rarely sustained, but this is still an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours.
-
In the absence of a decent father figure, two grumpy old gits provide essential male-bonding to a kid on the cusp of... read more on Time Out
-
Most helpful member's review
View all -
43 out of 56 people found this review helpful
Old lions teach young dog new tricks
Sent to live with his great-uncles one summer while his mother goes off to 'court reporting school', young Walter (Haley Joel Osment) discovers a movie truth we're all aware of: old people can be great company if you give 'em a chance. And when the 'company' is Robert Duvall and Michael Caine, that old movie truth is doubly true.
This is another rites of passage movie, but one so marvelously done, it feels fresher than it perhaps has a right to be. It meanders along, making its points about growing up (and growing old), and never outstays its welcome. Caine and Duvall are excellent, as is Osment, and the script, by director Tim McCanlies, is sharp, poignant and funny in equal measures.
Be warned, though: there are fantasy sequences which threaten to upset the movie's carefully structured mise-en-scene, but stick with them and you'll be amply rewarded. One criticism: the ending is a little bit too sentimental, although it is fitting.
All in all, a great little movie which could be easily overlooked. If you fancy something a little laid back and definitely feelgood, then Secondhand Lions is the movie for you. Highly recommended. -
Most recent members' review
View all -
8 out of 9 people found this review helpful
Beautiful, quirky film
This is a beautiful, quirky film which quietly instructs you to look below the surface ‘reality’ of life and attempt to believe that your dreams can be true. It was nice to see Haley Joel Osment in a film where a) he’s growing up and b) he’s allowed at last to act happy.
The two supporting characters are wonderful as you would expect from two such respected actors as Robert Duvall and Michael Caine, I particularly liked Mr Caine’s understated portrayal as the loyal brother always in the shadow of his flamboyantly powerful sibling. The flashback scenes to the brother’s previous life are done in a superbly comical, cartoon fashion that links beautifully to the future of the central character in the beginning and end scenes.
A great family film. -
News and features
View all
Sixth Sense star returns to big screen
- 03 Aug 2005
Child star Haley Joel Osment is to feature in a new film entitled Home Of The Giants, after a two-year absence from the silver screen. Osment, now 17, will play the role of a teenager who hero worships a famous basketball player in a small town in the US. His last performance came in the film Secondhand Lions with Robert Duvall and Michael Caine, which failed to live up to the success of his previous films. After capturing a small role as Tom Hanks' son in Forrest Gump, Osment hit the big time... Read more
-
More like this
View all
Related user collection
My favorites (13)
72% from 5 members
Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop
-
-
-
Secondhand Lions - BLU-RAY Version
Set in Texas in the 1950s, SECONDHAND LIONS tells the touching story of Walter (Haley Joel Osment), a shy teenager sent to stay with two estranged uncles for the summer. Various rumours surround the two uncles (played by Robert Duvall and Michael Caine), mostly because the duo have only recently ...
-
-
-
-
Secondhand Lions
Set in Texas in the 1950s, SECONDHAND LIONS tells the touching story of Walter (Haley Joel Osment), a shy teenager sent to stay with two estranged uncles for the summer. Various rumours surround the two uncles (played by Robert Duvall and Michael Caine), mostly because the duo have only recently ...
-