Secondhand Lions 2003

Critics score:
59 / 100

Reviews provided by RottenTomatoes

Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press: As entertaining as it is wholesome. Read more

Charles Savage, Miami Herald: Even without handicapping for the limitations of its gentle genre, the film has moments of whimsical humor and thoughtful plotting that soar tantalizingly close to something that could be enjoyed on its own merits. Read more

Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper: ... Michael Caine is badly miscast in this movie. I didn't believe him for one second in that role. Read more

Allison Benedikt, Chicago Tribune: With such a bang-up cast, this setup could at least elicit some tears, but in its 107 minutes, nary a one welled up in my eyes. Read more

Stephen Holden, New York Times: May be pure hokum, but at least it knows how to spin a yarn. Read more

Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: First-rate performances by Robert Duvall and Michael Caine. Read more

Wesley Morris, Boston Globe: Secondhand Lions is made from a child's perspective, but its point of view has a glass eye. Read more

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: A mild family film with an excellent cast that never develops traction. Read more

Houston Chronicle: Read more

Paul Clinton (CNN.com), CNN.com: A movie the whole family can enjoy. Read more

Scott Brown, Entertainment Weekly: With no baseline 'truth' to be found among the cartoony characters and cheesy twists, the whole production feels like a Texas-size load of secondhand lyin'. Read more

Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail: One of those headed-for-cable oddities that must have sounded like a good idea at the time. Read more

Philip Wuntch, Dallas Morning News: Audiences may get twitchy during some of the more obvious moments, but they'll look back on the film with a smile. Read more

Scott Foundas, L.A. Weekly: Despite the considerable imagination that has gone into realizing period scenes on a modest budget, all the episodes feel hurried and clipped, like they've been passed through too many impatient editing-room hands, and the picture never fully absorbs you. Read more

Jan Stuart, Newsday: The kind of pandering family entertainment that would make even Walt Disney roll in his grave. Read more

Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger: The whole thing's just not funny enough for children. And it's far too sad for adults. Read more

Jack Mathews, New York Daily News: This story is so lamely conceived and presented that it's a grind. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: Despite flaws that are (for the most part) easily overlooked, this film has enough charm and whimsy to capture the attention and imagination of children and parents alike. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: A gentle and sweet whimsy. Read more

Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle: [A] schmaltz fest. Read more

Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune: There's something for everyone: comedy, drama and romance. Read more

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Read more

Peter Howell, Toronto Star: Secondhand Lions manages to squander the services of seasoned vets Michael Caine and Robert Duvall, and promising newcomer Haley Joel Osment, with a tale that is dramatically false and disturbingly vicious. Read more

Derek Adams, Time Out: Read more

Claudia Puig, USA Today: There are too many leaden moments and odd shifts in tone to keep Lions from winning us over. Read more

Ronnie Scheib, Variety: Read more

Ed Park, Village Voice: A thirdhand lark. Read more