The Odd Life of Timothy Green is pure Disney. It’s simple, sweet and sappy with a healthy mix of humor and heart. It’s not a must see, but it’s still a fine choice if you’re looking for a family dramedy that can entertain those slightly older kids who claim to be over the whole animation thing. The movie stars Jennifer Garner (Alias, 13 Going on 30) and Joel Edgerton (Warrior) as Cindy and Jim Green, a happily married couple about to give up on their dream of having a child. One night, they put pencil to paper (pencils play a big role in this flick) and draft a quirky list of all the qualities their dream child would have. They bury the list in the garden and prepare to move on with their lives. Then it rains. And Timothy appears.
He’s both ordinary and extraordinary. And he’s got leaves on his legs that can’t be clipped, but gradually fall off. It’s your cue that Timothy’s time with the Greens will be limited. The movie asks you, quite literally, to accept the absurdity of it all and just let the story – and its message – unfold. The result is a fun and moving tale of growth, faith and managing expectations. It’s a bit reminiscent of the ABC Family show Kyle XY. So if you liked Kyle, odds are you’ll like The Odd Life of Timothy Green as well. If that reference escapes you, don’t sweat it. Just know that it’s a feel-good movie for the back-to-school crowd. And saps like me.
I agree with Mainstream Chick…this movie was entertaining enough. It is certainly not a must see. But, would be a good one to see on a rainy day. You do need to just go with the premise though. If you think too much about it, you will see the absurdity of it all.
This movie makes much more sense if you think of it as a fairy tale. A magical boy appears from the garden? Yep, that’s a fairy tale, with a beautiful message about love, loss, and grieving.