Movie review
Second Lions is a family movie set in the Texas countryside during 1962. Directed by Tim McCanlies, Second Lions is a warm comedy showing the inseparable relationship between two hot-boiled uncles, namely Uncle Hub and Uncle Garth and an adolescent boy called Walter. The most impressive part of the movie is the all-star cast consisting of two Oscar-winning artists: Robert Duvall and Michael Caine.
14-year-old Walter, is left by his self-centered, love-pursuing mother, Mae. Mae sends Walter to the home of the two very reclusive uncles, Uncle Hub and Uncle Garth and tells him that the two uncles possess a huge sum of fortune. At first, Walter is very reluctant to live with his two uncles as he thinks that the two uncles are very impulsive and cold-blooded. Being threatened to be sent to an orphanage, Walter runs away and attempts to look for her mother. Yet, he is found by his uncles. Not having a choice, he has to continue living with his uncles. During the process, Walter gets to know the very stupendous and awe-inspiring past of the two uncles, especially uncle Hub’s. Going through different remarkable incidents, the relationship of Walter and the two uncles have been incredibly improved, making them inseparable. Walter has been mentored with the “What Every Boy Needs to Know …” speech, being educated with the values and strengths that a man should possess. At the same time, Walter awakens the young spirit of the two uncles deep down inside. Thus, they become independent to each other.
On the whole, second-hand lion is an inspirational movie. I am particularly impressed by the hidden theme of ‘second-hand lion’. In the movie, the uncles bought a lion belonging to Walter from a circus. Walter is attacked by his mum’s boyfriend attempting to steal the fortune of the two uncles. The lion spends the last bit of vigor protecting Walter, showing the ultimate fierceness. Despite the fact that the lion is weak and worn out, the inherent nature of the lion is clearly exposed: Age does not affect the youth of the soul, what really matters is whether you make the full of yourself. In the movie, Uncle Hub manages to fight five youngsters on his own although he is aged. I found this very thought-provoking. Sometimes, people care about their age excessively, thus causing them give in to their age. However, seeing how the uncles lead a fantastic life with their worn out ‘bodies’, I realize the most important thing of all is to live your life away and treasure every moment of it.
The warmth and love presented throughout the movie is also something I like. There is one particular scene of Walter hugging Uncle Hub that gives me chill. Walter begs Uncle Hub not to pass away and lead a dangerous life. At that moment, I feel like I was immersed in the purest love of all. Love can exist in every form. It is not and should not be bounded with the biological relationship. Walter and the two uncles are not even in an uncle-and-nephew relationship. However, they do manage to devote everything they have to each other.
The third theme of the movie is that you always you have the make the right choice. In the movie, Walter chooses to leave her mother and lives with his two uncles when he realizes his mum prioritizes her boyfriend over him. Life is always like this. You do not really have the time to look back and forth in order to wait for the perfect moment. Trust your instinct and give it a try. Soon enough you will realize that it is rewarding although there is no going back.
Moving to the technical part, it is no doubt that the actors totally nailed the acting of the characters, especially for the two Oscar-winning actors. They really did manage to reveal the fierceness of old men with no attempt of ‘acting’ it. It is so real to the point that I thought they are shooting for a biography instead of a movie. I also like how Haley Joel Osment interprets the character of Walter. He manages to show the pure struggle of an adolescent being half-abandoned by his parents.
A minor flaw of this movie is that the themes are somehow shown in a too subtle way. Throughout the whole movie, I can barely find any signpost guiding to comprehend the theme. Also, I think that the themes are too shattered. I acknowledge that this is a very inspirational movie. However, due to the lack of signposts, I cannot really distinguish what truly is the most message that the film wants to convey. Thus, the main theme of second-hand lion cannot really stand out.
Overall speaking, second-hand lion is a warm and loving comedy. If you are into family and inspirational movie, this is surely your movie.