Movie-A-Day #227: Secondhand Lions

[KingLouieLouie]

I honestly havent watched too many films that have been made beyond 2002 (I will save that for a another thread on a different day).... In fact...over the past 3-years I've only been to the theatre once and that even wasnt done by choice (to see the "Love, Actually").... Anyways.... I was over at my sisters/bro-in-laws house nearly a month ago and was taken aback by this captivating movie, so I decided that I had to "profile" this movie when my turn for "movie-a-day" came:

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Thanks to everyone at Amazon.com
for the following:

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
If you can get past its thick layer of syrup and molasses, Secondhand Lions reveals itself as a thoroughly decent family film that anyone can enjoy. It gets a little sappy sometimes, but there's something to be said for a movie in which Michael Caine and Robert Duvall play eccentric old brothers who take the easy approach to fishing: instead of a peaceful rod and reel, they use 12-gauge shotguns. When 14-year-old Walter (Haley Joel Osment, teetering on puberty) spends an eventful summer with his great-uncles on their vast Texas farmland (he's been dumped there by his delinquent mom, played by Kyra Sedgwick), he soon discovers they've lived lives full of adventure, excitement, passion, and mystery. Either that or they're old-time bank robbers with a long criminal record, and writer-director Tim McCanlies (who invested similar warmth into The Iron Giant) does a nice job of concealing the truth until the very end. Full of enriching lessons and homespun humor, Secondhand Lions has more substance than most family films. If you enjoyed Holes, you'll probably enjoy this movie, too. --Jeff Shannon --This text refers to the Theatrical Release edition.

Description
This comedic and touching family film follows the adventures of a shy young boy (Haley Joel Osment) who is sent to spend the summer with his eccentric uncles (Michael Caine, Robert Duvall). At first shocked by his uncles' unconventional behavior that includes ordering African lions through the mail, the boy soon becomes enthralled with unraveling the mystery that has followed the uncles for years. Hearing tales of their exotic adventures involving kidnapped princesses, Arabian sheiks and lost treasure, not only brings him closer to his uncles but also teaches him what it means to believe in something... whether it's true or not.

Personal Reaction: The previous review/description essentially summarizes everything that this movie has to offer..... It's a film that is intended for all audiences... doesnt matter if you're family oriented...it also would appeal to those who have had long-standing relationships with their very close friends who have been through a lot together and had defied the odds in the process....

Caine and Duvall had so much syngery together on-screen that you would have been lead to believe that they were literally brothers in real life....Their respective performances spoke volumes......

Of course...I shouldnt neglect to mention Osment's prominent contributions to this movie.... He was ideal for the role of Walter and captured the spirit/passion that was necessary for his character.....

"Secondhand Lions" deserved all its awards/accolades that it received and is one of those movies that you could watch more than once and still really appreciate immensely.... They dont make too many decent movies like this anymore (in my honest opinion), but whenever they do... you must seize on the opportunity to see it......

 

[Chaplin]

A little sappy, but well-acted.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Didn't see it in the theaters, but we did see it on DVD when we were visiting family in Cali. We liked it well enough to watch it twice in one weekend and will likely pick it up on DVD sometime in the future.

Good role for a growing HJO.

 

[Renz]

I liked it. I could have done without the ending when the Arab family shows up, but other than that it was good.

 

[Mulli]

Haley Jo whats his name was not so good in parts. Not a bad show though.