The movie, Secondhand Lions, is the story of a young boy (Walter) who is dropped off at the home of his two elderly uncles (Uncle Hub and Uncle Garth) by his single mother. There are rumors surrounding Uncle Hub and Uncle Garth’s past lives and speculation that they have millions of dollars hidden on their land. Relatives and strangers hope to find or inherit some of the cash. Both uncles are reluctant to have Walter at their home and view him as a nuisance. Uncle Garth beings to tell Walter tails of him and Hub’s adventures as young men serving in the French Foreign Lesion during World War I. Uncle Hub is a wild character, who seems to be desperately trying to hold onto his youth and prove that he is still as strong and capable as ever. After getting into a fight with several teenagers, Uncle Hub brings them back to his house. He gives them his “what every boy needs to know about being a man” speech. By the end of the movie, both uncles have grown attached to Walter and are upset when his mother returns to take him. Walter decides that he wants to stay with his uncles, but insists that they be involved in all of his activities including little league, boy scouts and PTA (McCanlies, 2003).
On the surface, the public image of the uncles are that of two grumpy, bitter, old men. They regularly shoot at salesmen that come to call on them. They are rude to their relatives. Uncle Hub gets into a fight with teenagers. He checks himself out of the hospital after yelling at the nurses and throwing stuff down the hall. They are both in conflict with the idea of getting old and they lash out. However, there is also another very important side to the uncles. They are both strong, adventurous men who want to share their life experiences with the next generation. Uncle Hub’s “what every boy needs to know about being a man speech” is something he is proud to pass on. Uncle Garth