Secondhand Lions

Movie review by Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Secondhand Lions Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 10+

Charming family movie for tweens and up.

PG 2003 111 minutes
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Parents say

age 10+

Based on 21 reviews

Kids say

age 10+

Based on 24 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Secondhand Lions is a is a heartwarming coming-of-age story about a boy whose unreliable mother leaves him on a ranch with his two great uncles, former globetrotting adventurers who still have wild streaks. Set in rural Texas in the 1960s, these great uncles chew tobacco (and offer some to the boy) and shoot rifles whenever salesmen try and ply their wares. There's also a knife fight between the great uncles and a group of greaser teenagers, and some war scenes and chase scenes that come up in the form of flashbacks. Beyond this, though, Secondhand Lions is a fun and touching story that raises questions about what it means to grow up and to grow old.

Community Reviews

Motherbug
Motherbug Adult
May 17, 2020
age 18+

The Lord's name in vain!!!

Very disappointed that the Lords name is taken in vain and the swearing in this movie...wonderful story...swearing is unecessary. I dont watch movies that taje the Lords name in vain, and this isnt mentioned in parents guide

This title has:

Too much swearing
6 people found this helpful.
Robert C.
Robert C. Adult
November 21, 2022
age 5+
I’m pretty conservative when it comes to entertainment for my kids and I found this movie ok for 5+, my 5yr old loved it… there is some mild language but it isn’t glorified and caught no ones attention. The comment “did you order a hooker” about the boys mom was the only cringeworthy moment but it didn't raise any questions. Sexual content is what I primarily try to protect me kids from and the was essentially none; a passionate kiss between Hub and his wife; the woman he loved all his life. There is a lot to like about this movie, it leaves you with some things to think about and it is likely it will make your kids feel things- which to me is the whole point of a film worth my time. The comic book style “violence” was not a point of concern to me as it was mild and my girls aren’t bothered by non-graphic violence ( eg The Hobbit) … if your kids are it might be good exposure therapy so they can live life without being anxious and overwhelmed by mild violence. Violence is natural to children anyway, they will hit and fight all on there own; sex and objectification is not… that is all learned behavior and values that I try to protect polluting their minds to so that they can at least grow up knowing what is true and beautiful about human sexuality before they learn about all the perversions of it.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
2 people found this helpful.
See all 21 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In SECONDHAND LIONS, Walter (Haley Joel Osment) is dumped on the unwelcoming front porch of his two great-uncles, Hub (Robert Duvall) and Garth (Michael Caine) by his flighty mother (Kyra Sedgewick) so she can go to school and learn how to be a court reporter. She tells him that they disappeared 40 years earlier and just mysteriously returned. The rumor is that they have money hidden away somewhere, and she tells Walter to see if he can find it. Hub and Garth are not used to taking care of anyone. They tell Walter that if he needs anything he should find it himself or, better yet, do without it. Walter is not used to being taken care of. His mother has had a series of worthless or abusive boyfriends. When he calls the school to try to talk to her, he runs through a whole list of aliases before finding out that she has lied to him again and never even enrolled.

Is It Any Good?

Duvall and Caine have such easy charm that they make this movie work. It does sag when anyone else is on-screen, though such as during the flashbacks of their adventures in Africa and Osment's struggles to find his character and manage his adolescent voice.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about their own best advice for children about growing up and about the importance of having role models.

  • Families can also talk about Hub's view that sometimes it's important to believe in things whether they are true or not.

  • What do you think of the portrayal of rural folks? Do you think it's realistic or presents stereotypes?

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