Delightfully enjoyable, with an admirable and touching performance by Haley Joel Osment and engagingly warm, sensitive and funny performances by Michael Caine and Robert Duvall. They all complimented each other with their brilliance and talent and made Secondhand Lions a pleasing movie that comes highly recommended.

The story, set in the 1960s, is about Walter (Haley Joel Osment), a young shy boy whose mother, Mae (Kyra Sedgwick), is absent on so many levels of her son's childhood and, better yet, life as she sends him to stay with Garth (Michael Caine) and Hub (Robert Duvall), his mysterious and peculiar great-uncles, who live on a desolate ranch in Texas. The real reason for this unexpected visit is to have Walter find out where his uncles have a loot of money stashed.

Walter has no interest in finding out where the money is, he just wants to make the best of a bad situation, especially when some hungry relatives show up to put a claim on the money when its time to divvy it out. Because of Walter being there, it makes the relatives uncomfortable, but all the more entertaining and beneficial for the uncles to get rid of them. In fact, after awhile, it becomes an enjoyment and a privilege to have the young man with them. Walter discovers there is much history and adventure of which his uncles have been a part. The most fascinating is the story of Jasmine, a princess who uncle Hub had rescued and married, but what has become of their story and their love? Are these stories real or just wild imagination? Walter also takes an interest in one of his uncle's unorthodox deliveries, a lion that will become a wonderful and special member of the family.

What started out as awkward and unfamiliar territory turned into an open-hearted and welcoming gift of true family values and friendship between the three.

I was so thrilled and pulled toward, with the greatest of ease, to learn more about the story through the great and accomplished acting of Caine, Duvall, and the very terrific Osment.

There's no second-guessing the phenomenal acting capabilities of Caine and Duvall who, just by their mere presence, can captivate you. The magnificent Haley Joel Osment is quite an exceptional young actor who I'm sure will make it huge in Hollywood. He not only has the gift, but a goodness that sets him apart from being just an actor, to a great performer.

I found Secondhand Lions to be one of those movies that one can feel inside of them, the kind of movie that, along with a beautiful message of family and love, sparkles throughout the story with such strong visuals and peacefulness laid about it.

Secondhand Lions is full of comedy, adventure, spirit and, most of all, believing in what makes happiness surround you and the trust that it rests on. It is a wonderful family movie and should amply be seen and acknowledged for its kind and giving message of family bonding and appreciation of life in all its glory-filled joy and excitement.

 

Be sure to read the excellent original review .