Secondhand Lions

"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 good always triumphs over evil; and I want you to remember this, that love...true love never dies"
—Hub

Secondhand Lions is a 2003 film about a young boy who is sent to live with his two eccentric uncles on their farm in Texas. His mother says she is making her way to court reporting school, but instead she leaves to spend time with another boyfriend. As Walter spends more time with his uncles, he learns about their past, about their adventures, about Hub's great love for Jasmine. At the same time, the uncles buy a retired circus lioness who Walter names Jasmine to prevent her from being killed.

As time goes on Walter learns that the rumors of his uncles having a treasure are very true, and he finds out the location of the treasure. Hub and Garth are visited by family members who are only interested in their treasure, and when Walter's mom arrives with her new boyfriend, he threatens Walter to reveal the location of the treasure. As he attacks Walter, Jasmine comes out of the corn field and attacks him, passing away from the exertion. Hub and Garth tell Walter that she died like a real African lion, and she was smiling. They tell the boyfriend that he was lucky the lion got to him before they could, and tell Walter's mother that she doesn't deserve him.

Walter finds out that his mother isn't really leaving her boyfriend, and he jumps out of the moving car. He tells her that she needs to do something good for him, and he returns to live with his uncles. He tells them to work on their health and he lives with them for a long time. One day, as he is at work, he gets a call that his uncles have passed away. They were performing tricks on their airplane when it crashed into their barn. At the same time, the grandson of the Sheik from their adventures shows up with his son when he hears the news of their death. Walter and the Sheik's grandson agree that they really lived.

Why I Love this Movie

When I first saw this movie, it was playing at my sister's house and I became entranced with the movie and its amazing story. It has become one of my most favorite movies. The story of family, friendship, and love all come together, and the lion Jasmine plays such a beautiful part. This movie most definitely should have a fansite and fanlisting. :)