Secondhand Lions (DVD, 2004, Platinum Series)

Relatively speaking, this movie didn't get a lot of media hype. It's unlike anything I've ever seen and so worth watching. Two reclusive old guys, Michael Caine & Robert Duvall, take in Walter, the preteen son played by Haley Joel Osment, of an estranged niece whose life is anything but stable. Though Walter's life has always lacked stability, things just got more bazaar after his mom dropped him of (unannounced) to "visit" with his eccentric uncles. It's thought that the uncles were once bank robbers and have a great deal of money hidden on their farm. Needless to say, Walter's mom, Kyra Sedgwick, intends for Walter to find the money during his stay. While this heartwarming story unfolds, Walter's relationship with his uncles grows into a mutual bond with a wonderful sense of family and commitment, a first for all. This movie is a sound choice for anyone, regardless of age or gender. It's full of life lessons from, honesty, commitment, sense of self, integrity, etc..., and many touching moments. In my opinion, the bonus is that this story is told with a great sense of humor. In life, a good dose of laughter is needed... often!

Secondhand Lions is simply wonderful and feel good family movie. I started watching the movie and stopped it. I thought, my husband has to see this movie, which he did and enjoyed.

Set in the late 1950s or early 1960s, in Texas, Michael Caine and Robert Duvall are superb in their portrayal of two old men, who just want to be left alone.

Along comes Walter (Haley Joel Osment) a young teenager, being abandoned again by his mother(Kyra Sedgwick) who runs off to supposedly a court recording school. Walter, like the two men are loners. Through tales of their adventurous/mysterious past, and a Lion, they grow on one another and bond.

Unwelcomed relatives show up from time to time, only interested in the old mens rumored millions, eventually leave them all alone. You are happy to see them leave too.

Enjoy!

This is a wholesome movie safe for the family but maybe not children under say 8. With Robert Duvall, Michael Caine & Haley Joel Osment (Pay It Forward) its an excellent trio for comedy & yet touching heart felt emtion. Haley who plays Walter a somewhat shy teen is conveniently "abandoned" by his "run around Mom" (while she pursues what she wants)with two some what nutty but harmless Uncles who have some "tales to tell". Not to mention its rumored these nutty uncles have lots of money hidden somewhere that everyone wants (especially Walters Mom) Set in their ways (odd ways at that) the Uncles at first don't really welcome the kid, but given a bit of time they warm up to each other in many unusal ways, forming a very tight bond, only to have Walters way ward Mom return after finding a new boyfiend. But Walter has in the time spent with his Uncles learned some very valuable lessons about life, that helps him in his decision whether or not to go with his Mom.

Most of the movie is the story of the life of two brothers, as told by one of them to a 13-year-old nephew. According to the tales, starting at the beginning of WWI, they supposedly spent their time in north Africa, mostly in the Foreign Legion being heroes (especially Robert Duvall). They only recently returned to rural Texas, where they spend their time taking pot-shots at traveling salesmen and "fishing" with shotguns. They are wealthy (from an unknown source)and eccentric as all get out! There are several stories circulating among the locals about where their money came from (bank robberies, hired killers, etc.)and there is always some doubt as to which story is really correct. The action sequences are not very believable, helping to cast doubt on how true they are. But, as Duvall tells the boy, "There are some things that are worth believing in whether they're true or not!"
The kid decides that his uncles are telling him the truth, while his mother, (who dropped him off with the uncles for the summer to get him close to them so they'll leave him - and her - their money) tells him nothing but lies.
I won't tell you how it ends, as that would ruin the story for you, but it's a good story that you'll remember for a long time - especially the line, "Just plant me in the garden with the d*#& lion."

One of the best family films there is. A few curse words(not bad ones) and a few minor fist fights, but excellent movie for all to see. Osment's(Walter)mother drops him off at his great uncles(Hub+Garth)home out in the middle of no where while she claims to be going to court reporting school. Everyone has heard they have a lot of money although by the looks of them and their home, you certainly wouldn't think so. His mom tells him to look for their fortune while she is away. After she leaves another neice+her husband+kids come to visit in hopes of getting on the uncles good side, but it only leads to Walter running away when the other relatives accuse him of being there for the money. Hub/Garth and the nieces husband go after him and the uncles decide to let him stay since he makes the other relatives mad. They shoot at every traveling saleman trying to sell them something except for a few that Walter talked them into buying from. Garth tells him old stories that sound like fantasy, but in the end he finds out they were all true. They got their gold from a wealthy sheik. One of their purchases is worn out lion. Lots of adventure that you will have to see for yourself. Walter finds out his mom was lying about court reporting school and she comes back with a man claiming to be a cop trying to get Walter to tell them where teh gold is, but he won't. The lion attacks the man and the lion dies so they bury her in the garden.Walter jumps from his moms moving car to go back and live the uncles who couldn't stand him at 1st, but love him now, One of their purchases was an old war plane the tthey crash into the barn when they are in their 90's which leads to their demise. An old piece of paper is read out loud by Walter that sayd "The kid gets it all, just bury us in the darn garden with the stupid lion". Walter is shown grown up and writing comics about Walter and Jasmine(the lion).Also teh Shieks grandson+great grandson fly in on a chopper to see where the old men lived after hearing about it on the news which is when Walter and the Shieks grandson realize that all the stories were true.