Aylmer to Zazzoo and Beyond: The Odd Life of Timothy Green

Thursday, August 23, 2012

The Odd Life of Timothy Green - Review

The Odd Life of Timothy Green

Drama, Comedy, SciFi/Fantasy
Runtime 104 min

Rated PG - for mild thematic elements and brief language.

Director: Peter Hedges

Writers: Peter Hedges, Ahmet Zappa

Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures

Starring: Jennifer Garner, Joel Edgerton, CJ Adams, Odeya Rush, Dianne Wiest

Grade A-

An inspiring, magical story about a happily married couple, Cindy and Jim Green, who can't wait to start a family, but learn that they can only dream about what their child would be like. One stormy night young Timothy shows up on their doorstep. Cindy and Jim and their small town of Stanleyville (pencil capitol of the world) discover that sometimes the unexpected can bring some of life's greatest gifts.

The Odd Life of Timothy Green ~ Trailer #1

Academy Award®–nominated director/writer Peter Hedges (Dan in Real Life, and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?) brings enchantment to the screen with The Odd Life of Timothy Green.

The Odd Life of Timothy Green ~ Teaser

I was pleasantly surprised by this film. It is a refreshing delight. Truly a film the entire family can enjoy together. Like the main character, Timothy, it isn't perfect, but it is ideal. It is charming, funny, thought provoking, touching, sad and uplifting. I very much recommend it.

Timothy Green's story is told by Jim (Joel Edgerton) and Cindy (Jennifer Garner) Green in the office of an adoption agency where they are trying to adopt a child. On the line where it asks why they would make good parents they have simply written "Timothy". The agency workers ask them to explain, '...the time is yours to convince us'. Although dubious of the couples qualifications they allow them to relate their incredible experience with the fantastic little boy, Timothy Green. His story is revealed through flashbacks.

The Odd Life of Timothy Green ~ Clip

The couple who live in Stanleyville (pencil capitol of the world wherenhe works in the pencil factory and she works at the pencil museum), have been told they are unable to conceive. They are heartbroken and having trouble accepting the devastating news so in an effort to move on they dream up what their ideal child's characteristics and life events would be and they write them down on pieces of paper. They place the notes inside a box and bury it, along with their dreams, in their backyard.

After a stormy night, a ten-year-old boy arrives at their home covered in mud, claiming the Greens as his parents. They soon realize that the boy, named Timothy (CJ Adams), is in reality a culmination of all their wishes of their perfect child. Timothy continues to be the ideal child, not perfect, but ideal in ways that really matter, like changing the hearts of those who are most important to him.

Timothy is unusual. Leaves grow from his legs. Jim and Cindy intend to protect him from the cruel ways of the world toward people and things that are different. They take him to a trusted friend, a botanist, in an attempt to nip the leaves off of his legs but the stems of the leaves break the man's pruners. 'This isn't going to work, is it.' He says, to the boy. Timothy shakes his head and says, 'No!'

Timothy is unflappable by bullies who pick on him at school. He seems to understand people and know just what to say to make someone feel loved and appreciated.

When he encounters Joni (Odeya Rush) a sort of sullen, loner girl they immediately develop an unspoken connection, they are kindred spirits an soon become fast friends.