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This was one of those surprise movies that just come along out of nowhere and thoroughly entertain you. It is about 1962, and Walter and his mom are heading to Texas so that she can ditch Walter with his two old "Kooky" uncles. Walter is a nice but very shy kid about 12-13 years old. He has never met these old uncles, but according to his mom, they are extremely rich! Just how they got their money or where they keep it, is a mystery, but all kinds of stories are told; they were bank robbers; or gangsters; or whatever? These two old uncles are real characters, having only recently returned to Texas, after a lifetime of gallivanting all over the world doing all kinds of unspeakable acts. Of course, most of this is all lies. They are set in their ways, and don't want any visitors. The only reason anybody comes around is to try to find their money or butter them up to be left in their will. Now, here's Walter with a suitcase. Mom, is off to meet some guy. She is a real trailer-trash, showgirl type, who falls in love every month, and goes to bed every night. Poor Walter is caught in the middle. The two uncles played by Michael Caine, and Robert Duvall try to make Walter as un welcome as they can, but can see that he is a good kid, with a lousy mom, and that isn't his fault. They all gradually warm to eachother, in a warm "coming of age" sort of way. As it turns out, these two old codgers are the "real deal" and actually lived the swashbuckling life of soldiers in the French Foreign Legion, and fought the fights of history. Robert Duvall had been the uncle who married the woman promised to the Shiek, Jasmine, and loved her dearly. He had fought the Shiek as a mortal enemy and had overcome him. This was where the money came from. At one point, they buy a mail order lion. They want to shoot it and stuff it, but when it arrives, it is old and Walter gets attached to it, and names it Jasmine. Uncle Hub (Duvall) tells Walter the story of Jasmine, who had died in childbirth only two years after he married her. He had been alone ever since, and now had found the love of a son in Walter. When mom comes back to get Walter (really to see if Walter found the money) her new boyfriend is more trash, just like her. She wants to take him away with her, but he winds up staying with the old uncles. This was a good movie and very enjoyable.Read full review
My husband and I saw this movie on TV the first time and thought it was hilarious!!! I wanted to get a VHS tape of it while I could, so as to watch it again. I found some on Ebay and bid until I won one. I also won a DVD for a friend. This film is great! It has something for everyone. It is a good teaching tool for those coming of age, and for those who are older. It has adventure, and meanings so deep that it requires watching it again and again to understand it fully! One can pick up something new each time it is watched. If you want to thoroughly enjoy a movie, and you like to laugh, this movie is for you!! I've watched it twice now--once on TV, and the VHS tape I won. I'm looking forward to watching it again in the near future. Every time I watch it, I pick up something that I missed while laughing the previous time. Watch it closely, or you will miss something! It is great family entertainment!!Read full review
Always love this movie.
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I love this movie and have watched it several times since I purchased it. Most people that see it think that it is some kind of macho guy movie, but it is at least a 2 hanky flick. Who can beat Duvall and Caine in anything, and expecially as 2 crotchity old secondhand lions trying to raise a young man. It is fairly easy on the young kids ears, w/o much language, some violence not particularily violent, and the humor is great. It didn't receive enough notices when it was made as far as I am concerned.
no cons worked good
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