Secondhand Lions

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.

Audio commentary from director Tim McCanlies, Deleted and alternative scenes with optional commentary from the director, 'One Screenplay's Wild Ride In Hollywood' featurette, 'On The Set With Scondhand Lions' featurette, 'Haley Joel Osment: An Actor Comes Of Age' featurette, Visual effects comparisons, TV spots, Theatrical trailer, Interactive menu & Scene access

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2003