Secondhand Lions MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +3 Content: +1

Its summer in the 1960s in this heartwarming drama, and 14-year-old Walter (Haley Joel Osment) realizes his self-absorbed mom, Mae (Kyra Sedgwick), has lied to him again. She tells Walter he is to spend the summer with his rich, eccentric great-uncles while she goes to court reporter school. She drives out to her uncles dilapidated country farmhouse, announcing Walters visit. Before Garth and Hub (Michael Caine and Robert Duvall) can put down their shotguns, Mae has dumped Walter and his suitcase and sped away in a cloud of West Texas dust. By the time Mae returns at the end of summer with a new boyfriend, Walter has completely changed from a shy, lonely boy into a fun-loving adolescent who dearly loves his uncles. They have entertained him with colorful tales of their younger days in the French Foreign Legion, indulged him with a pet lion and taught him that wealth and power are unimportant. With three outstanding actors and a wonderful story, Secondhand Lions will bring some tears and lots of laughter to ages 8 and older.

Hub and Garth greet all visitors mostly traveling salesmen with shotguns in hand. Mae and other greedy relatives are interested in finding out where the old men keep their stash. When four punks approach them with switchblades in hand, Hub quickly disarms them, engages in a hand-to-hand fight, and then lectures them on his definition of manhood. Flashbacks include sword fighting and desert battle scenes during their youth. Maes abusive boyfriend tries to frighten Walter with a painful hit to his stomach, and Walter fights back with a kick to the mans groin. Other violence includes a lion attack, but it is neither gratuitous nor graphic. Unfortunately, Hub and Garth frequently use some salty, mostly mild, language. Hub teaches Walter that true love never dies and that anything you truly believe in is true. The old men and young boy also discover that you are never too young or too old to make a difference in someones life. Secondhand Lions is too complex for young children, but Preview recommends it with a warning about the offensive language.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: New Line Cinema