Opiniones de usuarios

Plot

A coming-of-age story about a shy young boy sent by his irresponsible mother to spend the summer with his wealthy, eccentric uncles in Texas.

Cast

Haley Joel Osment, Michael Caine, Robert Duvall with support from Christian Kane, Emmanuelle Vaugier and brief appearance by Eric Balfour.

Verdict

When it comes to entertainment my dad is a hard man to please, he doesn't really like music (No really), and when it comes to movies and television he's so picky it's intolerable. Secondhand Lions is one of the few films he's enjoyed and perhaps the only thing he's ever recommended me. I didn't rush to watch it, based on what I'd seen and read it didn't appeal but I'm a man of my word and eventually got round to it.

To my surprise, it was not what I expected at all. And to be clear what I mean by that is that it's a remarkably good film, endearing, heartfelt, well constructed and had me unable to look away.

It's not exactly a new tale, we've seen it before and is ultimately a coming of age story but I'm not sure I've ever seen it done quite this well.

Serious when it needs to be serious, funny when it needs to be funny and positively whimsical when it needs to be whimsical.

Rants

A lot of people moan that there simply aren't enough "Innocent" films out there. No sex, little to no violence, just focusing on character development and a wholesome story. I'd agree that there aren't enough but disagree that's the only thing we need. Secondhand Lions is an "Innocent" film but it does have violence yet I'm not corrupted nor more violent as a result from watching it. Each to his/her own.

Breakdown

Great performances (Even Caine is passable) Fantastic story Constructed perfectly A film that sticks with you Sad moment that I didn't appreciate.

"Secondhand Lions" is a movie which has achieved excellence. The story line is fast-moving and packed with nuance. Various elements of the plot overlap and blend for a harmonious whole. It is not a series of action scenes played primarily for visual impact, but a compelling story which demands attentive viewing.

Flashback scenes are intentionally cartoonish, so that the audience, like the character of the boy Walter, is left wondering whether the fantastic tales of the old uncles' adventurous youth are really to be believed. Uncle Garth tells the stories, which we see through Walter's imagination. We see in the flashbacks what Walter envisions as he hears the stories, and Walter doesn't have the age and experience to see anything other than the caricatures which appear in the flashback scenes. It's not a photo-accurate rendition, it's what a youngster imagines while listening to oral storytelling. For instance, a twelve-year-old Texan in the 1950s wouldn't have been likely to know what a really angry Sheik would have looked like in the 1920s. These flashbacks, and the ways in which they are depicted, are central to the plot of the movie. Through his storytelling, without realizing it, Uncle Garth nurtures a creative potential in Walter (who will grow up to become a cartoonist).

Christian Kane is a magnificent casting choice as young Uncle Hub (the younger incarnation of Duvall's character), displaying just the right kind of spark for the daring adventurer. Kyra Sedgwick is eerily believable as Walter's shallow and self-absorbed mother. The family of hick relatives is superbly annoying.

Haley Joel Osment delivers a solid portrayal of Walter. Sometimes his voice sounds like that of a boy, sometimes like that of a young man, as would be expected in a male of Walter's age. Sometimes Walter cries like a child, sometimes he displays stoic maturity, as would be expected from a boy who is in the transition of becoming a man. We see Walter unsure of himself in the beginning, but later finding his footing. Not too sugary, not too hard-edged, Haley Joel Osment is ideal for the role. He may be overshadowed by Caine and Duvall, but actually holds his own reasonably well, working between these two living legends.

Michael Caine's accent as Uncle Garth is a perfect portrayal of a Texan who has lived outside Texas for much of his life. Garth is no bumpkin hick, but a man who has traveled the world, and in light of his experiences it would not have been credible to give this character a strong country drawl. Even though, as the plot progresses, we don't know how much of Garth's fantastic storytelling we should believe, there is never a question of whether Garth has ventured outside the Texas borders. (Education and travel tend to have the effect of diminishing regional accents. I have lived in Texas for twenty years, and have known many older native Texans whose diction is much like Garth's.) Michael Caine gives Uncle Garth just the right combination of toughness and tenderness, and treads the fine line of allowing us to see Garth as a trustworthy character regardless of his adventurous stories.

The uncles are very realistic characterizations, and Texas holds many characters like them. The aging uncles had, as young men, gone away to find adventure, and lived on the edge for much of their lives. Then they returned home to retire in a rural Texas setting which they were finding to be just a little too tame, no longer remembering much about Texas country life except for acquiring the obligatory too many dogs. The uncles don't say much to each other because there is no need to say much, they understand each other perfectly. Confronted with age, they seek out reckless behavior, unwilling to sit still and get older, unable to overtly give up on life. Walter's presence suddenly requires them to adapt to new purpose, and to take care of themselves, too, as they are faced with the issue of providing appropriate male role models so that their young nephew might one day become an appropriate man.

Despite the studio's description, this is not a "heartwarming" movie with a happy, fluffy resolution for all concerned. The characters must make choices, and not always easy ones. The valiant tales of adventure don't always conclude with happily-ever-after fairytale endings. It is not purely a comedy, but instead probes the depths of emotion. The adult audience will probably appreciate this movie the most, but it is an appropriate movie for pre-teens as well.

I cannot see how anyone would dis this movie unless they especially disliked a particular actor. I thought the casting was great, right down to the secondhand lion and the pig. The flashbacks were hilarious because as we age, the things we did before become more dramatic and are further enhanced. No one thinks about their past in terms of mediocrity, and this was brought out in the flashback scenes. Osment was a superb cast in this movie because of his unchanging facial expression. He has been burnt out with lies and his mother's constant searching for a husband only to find another loser.His comment to his mother said it all. Here was a kid who had met a lot of "uncles", so here were two more uncles that he was being pawned off on.

Robert Duvall and Michael Caine are the only two actors that come to mind who could pull this off. I plan to add this to my collection and would highly recommend it to anyone who has a ever daydreamed about far off places or dares to dream about what might have been.

Hollywood has gone off the deep end in trying to project a certain political ideology and this has hurt the overall film industry. It is no wonder that when a good movie like this comes out, it is not given a second look and is soon forgotten. It's sad.

This movie was worth-watching. The characters are well-drawn and sympathetic. Just as young Walter (Haley Joel Osment) gets to know his great uncles (Michael Caine and Robert Duvall), we are introduced to this pair of "Secondhand Lions". Just as Walter learns to trust these two eccentric strangers after a lifetime of lies from his untrustworthy mother, we are allowed to learn the lessons of life in pace with him. There are no plot tricks, just eye-widening revelations as the story unfolds at a satisfying pace.

This is not a small quiet story, however. There is the rumor of a hidden fortune of which, it seems, everyone from relatives to traveling salesmen has heard. There are hints that it was obtained through the uncles' adventures but also that it might be ill-gotten gains. Along with Walter, the audience discovers the truth of the rumor.

There is action, comedy, danger, acts of courage, defiance, and tragedy that is part of human frailty. It's wonderfully accomplished in a way that allows older children to enjoy it with their parents. You have characters with whom you can identify no matter what your stage in life.

The director skillfully weaves the past and the present and still manages to preserve the confirmation of story until the very end. I don't want to say too much about this movie or it will spoil the fun of experiencing/watching it. Don't miss this movie.

Who would have ever thought that Michael Caine and Robert Duvall would ever be in a movie together? These two actors have played such opposite characters in their acting careers that putting them together in a movie would be a major task...however, this movie not only succeeds in the pairing but also excels in it. The two actors support each other magnificently, making the movie such a treat to watch. The movie is uplifting and such a blast, masterfully combining comic relief with more serious themes. (I nearly died laughing when Michael Caine said the word "ain't," never dreaming in a thousand I would hear the British actor go country.) The movie is a perfect "coming of age" story, with good morals and lessons. I don't want to go into too much detail with the movie, less I ruin some truly amazing scenes, but I recommend it for any family movie night.

A classic. This is one of those male bonding movies one tends to cringe at nowadays, but there's no cringing here. Due to the wonderful script, direction and acting by all the principals, this one unfolds like a rose in bloom. Before you know it the movie has you in its grasp and the characters become 3-dimensional and their battles become yours as well. The plot is simple...a teenager is dumped on his great-uncles by his scheming mother who wants the kid to find where the uncles have hidden their fortune. The uncles, played by Michael Caine, sans British accent, and Robert Duvall, work well together as brothers slow to warm to the boy, played by Haley Joel Osment. Eventually the layers peel away and the boy learns about the earlier thrilling adventures of the uncles and begins to see them as role models. But then, are the stories true? Should the boy return to his mother? Should the uncles fight to keep him around? The ending had me in tears. Tears of happiness. A perfect film for the entire family.

Decent family film about two old geezers played by Robert Duvall and Michael Caine who settles down in their old birthplace Texas after 40 years of swashbuckling adventures. But when their nephew(Osment) whom they have never met get thrown at their doorstep by his irresponsible mother, they soon discover sides of themselves either long forgotten or never experienced. I loved Duvall's performance simply because his character had more mystique and flair than Caine's character. But in contrast to each other it plays out wonderfully humorous. I actually wouldn't mind a prequel of this film based on the story's spent in the foreign legion and numerous wars. And of course Emmanuelle Vaugier's role however short is one of the things i will remember most about this film in a visual context, A stunningly beautiful actress with great acting skills. Well i have rambled on enough. Just see the film if you are in the mood for a comedic but dramatic coming of age story with grade A actors.

Part fairytale, part tearjerker, part animal movie, generally spells disaster in a film. Not here however, as all of the parts mesh quite nicely and the result is an entertaining movie. Michael Caine, Robert Duvall, and Haley Joel Osment all give believable performances. There is imagination at work and the result is that children 8+ in addition to adults will enjoy "Secondhand Lions". So, if you don't mind breaking out the tissues, I recommend this as an evenings entertainment. For comparison, I would rate another tearjerker "The Three Lives of Thomasina" 6.5., and recommend it as an excellent companion to "Secondhand Lions". - MERK

This movie made us laugh, and cry. It touches on every aspect of growing up and growing old. It addresses the right way to live, and the wrong.

There's some humor from the crotchety old uncles and some sadness from a boy who is unfortunate to have an irresponsible mother.

There are swashbuckling sword fights and several surprises that keep it moving at a pleasant pace. If I tell you more it will ruin it. The surprises are what make it so special.

The less you know about this movie before watching it the better.

It left me feeling so good, I watched it again the very next night. It was a rental.

Unless you are a very hardened person, I guarantee you will laugh many times and even the toughest ones who NEVER cry at movies will have a scowl on their face at least once.

I plan to buy a version of this the first chance I get.

Hollywood is mostly BS and so are most of the people who profit there. An old principle is that you can tell a skunk from it's stripes, a liar cause it's lips move, and a wiseman by plain speaking and clothes.

In this Second Hand Lions movie there are two things to know. Maybe three. First, two of the finest movie actors ever are Robert Duvall and Michael Cain. They are both in this movie. Secondly, a movie or any literature is only as good as the writing or story. Even great actors can't make a great movie if the story is not great. Thirdly, it takes no whizbang stuff or CGI to make a great story. Shakespeare had none and his stories are still being used, filmed in variations. That applies to all great authors.

If one doesn't understand then one is illiterate. Facts never really change.

This movie starts off pretty well, as a kid's irresponsible mother dumps him with a couple of unfriendly uncles she doesn't even know. And for the most part the movie is an enjoyably light movie with fun scenes involving traveling salesmen and worn out lions. It's got a Disney fun-for-the-whole-family feel and comes across as something genial and likable. Problems arise in the second half when the movie leans more heavily on dramatic elements. The movie assumes that if you put a sad kid with a couple of colorful relatives that a deep bond will form, and that may be so, but the movie really doesn't do anything to show us happening. They tell some entertaining stories, do some wacky stuff, and then there are tears and hugs and you just have to say, what's the big deal? One doesn't see a real bond form between the kid and his uncles, and even the bond between the uncles is more in the telling than the showing. The cast is good, but the writing is lazy, with a generic bad mother and the like. The last half hour is all drama and thus all hollow and tedious. If the movie had fulfilled the amusing promise of its first half I would have given it a 7 out of 10, but the last part barely musters a 4 so I rate the overall impact at a 5.

I have been told by many people this was a great movie and one I needed to watch. Well finally I watched it today and it didn't disappoint me. It has so many great elements to it. I laughed in some parts and cried my eyes out in others. I loved the line "...died with his (or her) boots on." It's a great statement about living your life to the fullest and believing in the things that really matter like love and honor. The actors were fabulous. I think young Haley Joel Osment has a lot to offer films and I hope we see much more of him in the future. Michael Caine never disappoints me and I love his Texas accent in the film. Overall, this is truly one movie fit for all ages. A true heartwarming film with a great message for anyone who will hear it.

I am very critical about movies, especially the ones which will pass before the eyes of my 9 & 7-yr old daughters, so I was extremely surprised and impressed with Secondhand Lions. I was washed away by the depth of this movie and challenged by what it presented. Tucked into the mystery of the uncles' past (unraveling in the moonlight) is a revelation of a life well-lived. What drives man to a life of adventure and where does he go when his body can't keep up? What, when, where determines how he passes the wisdom of the ages? Created in the image of God, we are challenged to be fully alive while we have the strength. "Sometimes the things that may or may not be true are the things that man needs to believe in the most" and I won't spoil the movie for you by giving you the carrot. I will tell you that there is a sincere love for life in this story that is utterly compelling. Go read "Waking the Dead" and "If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat", watch "Secondhand Lions" with your most courageous friends and the loved ones you wish would be so fearless, and then meet me for coffee in Marseille. Bon courage à vivre!

It sounds like a cliché, but I don't know anybody who didn't like this film. I recommended it to a number of people, and all were impressed with it as I was.

Excellent acting and an interesting low-key story make this a very enjoyable 110 minutes of entertainment. A story about two old geezers who take in a 14-year- old to their home for a month doesn't sound too exciting but this film will surprise you.

It's tough to find two elder gentlemen as good and appealing as Michael Caine and Robert Duvall, anyway, so you have two winners right there. Add a fine, fine young actor in Haley Joel Osment and now you have three excellent actors who comprise most of the lines of the film.

This is one of those rare "guarantee" movies in which you can safely tell your friends to watch it and not regret the recommendation.

In the summer of 1962, a troubled, introverted boy (Haley Joel Osment) is dropped off by his dubious mother (Kyra Sedgwick) at the remote home of his two great-uncles in central Texas (Michael Caine and Robert Duvall). His money-loving mom and other relatives are only interested in their (supposed) hidden cache of wealth while the kid simply needs their acceptance, wisdom and love.

"Secondhand Lions" (2003) is a quirky coming-of-age drama that combines elements of "A Perfect World" (1993) and "Sling Blade" (1996) with the amusement of Indiana Jones, "Simon Birch" (1998) and "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" (2000). It's entertaining, enlightening and heartwarming all at the same time. Yet it's more than just a coming-of-age drama because it effectively addresses one's usefulness in life after his/her physical prime. It's also a good animal flick, although they're peripheral.

The film runs 1 hour, 49 minutes, and was shot in the Austin, Texas, area, including Pflugerville, Manor (fight at store) & Lockhart, Texas.

GRADE: B.

This is largely a kid's film, but in the best sense, in that it isn't full of juvenile humor about failing bodily functions, nor is it demeaning to the elderly, even though both its stars are well over sixty; it's a joyful, optimistic and largely predictable romp about the relationship that can develop between the old and the young.

When Haley Joel Osment's Mother drops him off to stay for a while with two old curmudgeons, a perceptive viewer can probably guess what happens next--but that knowledge doesn't detract from the fun-it's like a great fairy tale that you want to have told to you again, a sentimental rural fable rich with the kind of things kids (and many adults) like--lions that can be tamed, monoplanes that can be built, and worthwhile lessons that can be learned. Nobody farts, nobody says the "f" word, and nobody drops their pants--it's actually funny because its humor springs from the considerable well-honed talents of acting treasures Michael Caine and Robert Duvall and from a well-written kid's story--with adults welcome to come along for the ride.

This movie was an unexpected treat. I expected more of a "Grumpy Old Men" type comedy that laughs at some curmudgeonly old men. Instead, it was a interesting tale of, well, tales. Tall Tales.

A young man, Walter, is dumped by his irresponsible mother at the doorstep of her eccentric uncles. The interaction between the men and the youngster are intermixed with tales of the men's younger, adventurous youth. The result is a structure similar to "Fried Green Tomatoes", but it falls well short of "Fried Green Tomatoes".

The stories of the men's youth are spun to be pretty tall tales. I think the movie would have had a much better impact if their stories were "spun" a little less. There are moments of sappy interaction between the generations, but not enough to harm the movie in any substantive way.

I would also have been more interested in understanding why Walter's mother was so selfish toward her child. I guess the desire was to keep the plot "light". In keeping the characters somewhat less than three dimensional, it fails to draw in the audience as much as "Fried Green Tomatoes".

Regardless of these shortcomings, it does deliver on an interesting plot and solid performances by the principal characters. I recommend it.

For a VERY long time I've been disgusted with most of the stuff coming out of Hollywood... too many movies with huge budgets and absolutely NO imagination or talent involved. Lately tho, the Hollywood system has slipped a bit, and a few films by SMART people working with nonformula scripts have been falling through the cracks. And they're a refreshing breeze for those of us that don't bother with "One Weekend Wonders" that generate monster box office receipts for two or three weeks, that involve the latest orgasm generator "stars" and a ton of explosives and guns... just to sink into oblivion afterwards, like TITANIC or PEARL HARBOR.

The LAST intelligent movie I saw was A MIGHTY WIND. Right on it's heels, we get SECONDHAND LIONS.

I've been a Robert Duval fan for a LONG time... there's more than a little bit of Sonny from THE APOSTLE, and a taste of Colonel "Bull" Meecham from THE GREAT SANTINI thrown into the character of Hub. He's done a Tour De Force job with the performance. WONDERFUL!!!

The biggest surprise in all of this tho was Michael Caine's take on playing a Texas redneck! It's hard to imagine that the impeccably English Spitfire squadron commander from BATTLE OF BRITAIN could pull off a crusty, aging Texan, but he DOES it beautifully. He even gets the accent down quite well!

This is a film that's a TON of fun from beginning to end. IMHO it's destined to become a classic, very much like Jean Sheppard's A CHRISTMAS STORY.

It's worth the trip. Pick it up, and you won't be sorry.

Gavno

This film begins with a single mother by the name of "Mae Coleman" (Kyra Sedgwick) driving her 14-year-old son, "Walter Caldwell" (Haley Joel Osment), to live with her two uncles, "Hub McCain" (Robert Duvall) and "Garth McCain" (Michael Caine), for a few months while she attends school in Fort Worth, Texas. Living in a rural area of Texas represents a significant change for Walter, further intensified by the eccentric lifestyle of the older men. Even more intriguing is the rumor that both men are incredibly wealthy and have a stash of money hidden on their property. Walter doesn't quite know whether he will like his new situation, but as time passes, he gradually warms up to his de facto parents--even though they're not exactly normal. Rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this was an entertaining coming-of-age movie that benefited from strong performances by both Robert Duvall and Michael Caine. It also contained some decent comedy throughout. That being said, I enjoyed this film, and I have rated it accordingly. Above average.