Secondhand Lions

2003

Director: Tim McCanlies

Distributor: New Line Cinema

Key Elements: Lines – Characters – Message – Symbolism

My Review:

This movie grew on me slowly. Michael Cane and Robert Duvall’s characters are excellently developed. And the story is considerably fun. But what I love are the messages the movie delivers.

First, it is important to live life to the fullest. When the boy first meets his uncles, they do nothing but sit on their porch all day. But as their relationship develops, they all find a new love for life. In the end, the uncles re-embrace adventure.

Second, it is important to know what you believe. Duvall’s character tells the boy that the things that may or may not be true are the things worth believing. As Christians, we can be certain that our beliefs are true – the intellectual, experiential, scriptural and personal evidence are all on our side. But faith IS important, and we should continue to believe what is true, even if others don’t.

A last thing this movie tells us is how important father figures are. Even though Cane and Duvall are the boys uncles, the provide the love and direction a father would give. This is paramount in any kids life, boy or girl, but I can say from experience just how important fathers are to boys.

Kids need good men in their lives.

Clip:



Quotes:

• So, you two were away for 40 years... Where'd you go?
• I'm Hub McCann. I've fought in two World Wars and countless smaller ones on three continents. I led thousands of men into battle with everything from horses and swords to artillery and tanks. I've seen the headwaters of the Nile, and tribes of natives no white man had ever seen before. I've won and lost a dozen fortunes, KILLED MANY MEN and loved only one woman with a passion a FLEA like you could never begin to understand. That's who I am. NOW, GO HOME, BOY!
• Well, a man's body may grow old, but inside his spirit can still be as young and as restless as ever. And him - in his day, he had more spirit than twenty men.
• Sometimes the things that may or may not be true are the things a man needs to believe in the most. That people are basically good; that honor, courage, and virtue mean everything; that power and money, money and power mean nothing; that good always triumphs over evil; and I want you to remember this, that love... true love never dies. You remember that, boy. You remember that. Doesn't matter if it's true or not. You see, a man should believe in those things, because those are the things worth believing in
  You're lucky the lion got to you before *we* did.
• The kid gets it all. Just plant us in the damn garden, next to the stupid lion.
• So... they lived?
  - They lived.

Stills: