Secondhand Lions Review
3 February 2013
I’m kinda scraping the bottom of the barrel to include this in the Period Drama Challenge, as it is based in 1960… but (before I get in trouble here…) there are flashbacks to the Middle East during the First World War. So, I think, by the skin of my teeth, I am safe.
Secondhand Lions is a really sweet story. I think by now Hollywood has done so many repeats of ‘shy little kid befriends grumpy old person and turns them into rays of sunshine’ that the theme may seem a little blah to someone who has never seen it. However, this story includes not only that grumpy-person-transformation, but also exotic wild animals, adventure, gold-digging relatives, heroism, humour (a lot of humour), and even a touch of romance.
Exercise caution because there is a fair amount of profanity in this movie… but I’ll get to all that at the end.
SYNOPSIS
Secondhand Lions is a really sweet story. I think by now Hollywood has done so many repeats of ‘shy little kid befriends grumpy old person and turns them into rays of sunshine’ that the theme may seem a little blah to someone who has never seen it. However, this story includes not only that grumpy-person-transformation, but also exotic wild animals, adventure, gold-digging relatives, heroism, humour (a lot of humour), and even a touch of romance.
Exercise caution because there is a fair amount of profanity in this movie… but I’ll get to all that at the end.
SYNOPSIS
It’s the summer of 1960 and introverted 14-year-old Walter is unceremoniously dumped by his single mother Mae at the Texan farm of eccentric great uncles, Hub and Garth. Walter has never met them but legend has it, they were bank robbers, mafia hitmen, even Nazi war criminals. Whatever their past, one rumour is the most compelling to Mae: Hub and Garth have lots of money stashed away. So find the dough she commands Walter. But over one summer Walter discovers a whole lot more – his own sense of adventure, his own kind of happiness and life suddenly looks promising after all.
SCENERY
The scenery it divided between the Texan farm and the flashbacks to the Middle East. The farm is pretty ordinary, but the flashbacks are quite intriguing and mysterious – which was probably done on purpose as the East was known as a mysterious place.
SCENERY
The scenery it divided between the Texan farm and the flashbacks to the Middle East. The farm is pretty ordinary, but the flashbacks are quite intriguing and mysterious – which was probably done on purpose as the East was known as a mysterious place.
STORY
As you gathered from the synopsis, you already know that Walter goes to live with his uncles (who disappeared from 40 years) under strict instructions to find the money and to befriend them so that when they die, Walter will inherit all of the money. As Walter gets to know them better, he learns more about where they disappeared to, and the adventures that they had. Along the way he has to learn to deal with sponging relatives who are also trying to get all of Hub and Garth’s money, a new lion friend, and his insatiable curiosity.
As you gathered from the synopsis, you already know that Walter goes to live with his uncles (who disappeared from 40 years) under strict instructions to find the money and to befriend them so that when they die, Walter will inherit all of the money. As Walter gets to know them better, he learns more about where they disappeared to, and the adventures that they had. Along the way he has to learn to deal with sponging relatives who are also trying to get all of Hub and Garth’s money, a new lion friend, and his insatiable curiosity.
CHARACTERS
Walter, the shy introverted 14-year-old, was played by Haley Joel Osment. This young fellow plays Walter really well… his fright at living with his shotgun wielding uncles, his tears when he realizes that his mother lied to him, his excitement at the stories of Uncle Hub’s adventures, also the happiness that grows on him as he lives and loves his uncles… very well portrayed. Also, he’s a really cute and loveable little fellow. Can’t help but love him. :)
Walter, the shy introverted 14-year-old, was played by Haley Joel Osment. This young fellow plays Walter really well… his fright at living with his shotgun wielding uncles, his tears when he realizes that his mother lied to him, his excitement at the stories of Uncle Hub’s adventures, also the happiness that grows on him as he lives and loves his uncles… very well portrayed. Also, he’s a really cute and loveable little fellow. Can’t help but love him. :)
Uncle Hub and Uncle Garth are played by Robert Duvall and Micheal Caine, respectively. Hub is the more adventurous and courageous of the two uncles, as is reflected by the flashback stories… they’re mostly about him and his adventures. The combination of the two brothers is very well balanced. Garth is the more cautious, protective one compared to Hub’s courage and brawn. The humour expressed by these two old men is very funny.
COSTUMES/HAIRSTYLES
Pretty normal. Jeans and t-shirt, dungadrees, suit and tie….There are some pretty and exotic costumes in the flashbacks to Hub’s adventures, but I’m really struggling to find them online. Some of Mae's dresses are quite pretty, but too low in the back and front and a little tight.
Pretty normal. Jeans and t-shirt, dungadrees, suit and tie….There are some pretty and exotic costumes in the flashbacks to Hub’s adventures, but I’m really struggling to find them online. Some of Mae's dresses are quite pretty, but too low in the back and front and a little tight.
RATING
Between 1 and 5, I’d give this film and 3.5 or so.
It is rated PG for low level violence. The uncles could be a little scary to younger children at first, especially their love for shooting travelling salemen, a fistfight between Hub and four raucous teens, and the flashbacks to WWI. Nothing graphic, but it could be a little intense. Spoiler Also, there is a scene where Walter’s pet lion mauls Mae’s fiancé… again, nothing graphic is shown, but it could be intense for younger viewers. End of Spoiler Other acts of low level violence are in the film. The biggest let-down for me was the language. There is a lot of profanity and questionable language that I wouldn’t want tainting the ears of younger viewers.
Between 1 and 5, I’d give this film and 3.5 or so.
It is rated PG for low level violence. The uncles could be a little scary to younger children at first, especially their love for shooting travelling salemen, a fistfight between Hub and four raucous teens, and the flashbacks to WWI. Nothing graphic, but it could be a little intense. Spoiler Also, there is a scene where Walter’s pet lion mauls Mae’s fiancé… again, nothing graphic is shown, but it could be intense for younger viewers. End of Spoiler Other acts of low level violence are in the film. The biggest let-down for me was the language. There is a lot of profanity and questionable language that I wouldn’t want tainting the ears of younger viewers.