Roaring drama in 'Secondhand Lions'

Secondhand Lions

Director: Tim McCandlies

Cast: Robert Duvall, Michael Caine, Haley Joel Osment, Kyra Sedgwick

Cert: PG.

A curious film in many ways, but one which eventually delivers.

Duvall and Caine play a couple of grumpy old men, living on their dilapidated farm, who are lumbered with their young nephew (Osment), left with instructions from his mother (Sedgwick) to find out if they really do have a buried fortune stashed away.

At first it is an uneasy coming together of the three but gradually there is a growing affection and a deep understanding which turns what might have been a sentimental load of trash into a strongly enjoyable story. OK, so there are still some moments of cringe - somehow young Osment still doesn't look happy with his approaching adulthood - but when you get two such outstanding performers as Duvall and Caine in such fine form you also get a film that rises above itself into a story that is both watchable and charmingly so.

There are moments which seem to give the film a disjointed look - every now and then the grumpy pair go off and do something daft: shoot up unwelcome visitors, buy a lion, get grumpy - but ultimately it all comes together and makes for a pleasing outing.

Star Rating: 4/5