Movie Review: The Odd Life of Timothy Green
Posted by MomOnMars on August 08, 2012
Last year at the mecca of blogging conferences, BlogHer, Disney showed us The Help. But just prior to starting the movie, they entertained us with a trailer from The Odd Life of Timothy Green. It was…well…odd. Two young parents, writing down the qualities of their perfect child, burying it in the backyard. A storm. And suddenly, a mud-covered child appears mysteriously miraculously in their home. It stuck with me for a whole year.
So it’s a good thing Disney decided to show us The Odd Life of Timothy Green this year at the conference…to settle all those questions in my head, you know. Except that it didn’t. Because the movie is still…well…odd.
And that is its magic.
There are three things you need to know about Timothy Green.
1. It’s not creepy.
2. It will require you to suspend belief for a short while.
3. You will need tissues. Lots and lots of tissues. This movie will make grown men cry.
The trailer is accurate. A boy grows out of a box of wishes buried in the garden and enters into the life of his mom and dad for a short time…until the leaves fall from his legs and he must go back to wherever he came from. Probably one of the most unusual premises for a movie I’ve come across in a long time. And yet, the story holds you spellbound until its heart-sweet end. And you walk out of the theater trying to figure out exactly what this movie is about.
Is it about the dreams we have for our children? About whether or not any of us are really ever ready for parenthood? About the mistakes we make and the things we get right as we try to raise our kids to be who and what we believe they should be and who and what they really are? Is it accepting differences? About taking chances and believing in ourselves and others? About being kind to others?
It’s all in there. And yet, for me, none of those themes seemed to fit quite right. I kept waiting for the pins to tumble into place perfectly and unlock the key to the movie’s meaning.
And then it hit me. What I love most about The Odd Life is the way the movie splashes in pitch-perfect motion through the lives of those in the story and makes them better for having come in contact with Timothy Green – an unusual little boy with beautiful eyes and the calmest of souls. And that touches me because I want to be like Timothy. And I want my children to be like Timothy. That we might touch lives in a way…even in very small ways…and people will be just a little bit better because of it. (Or – at the very least – not any worse off!)
I predict your children will absolutely accept every magical ounce of The Odd Life of Timothy Green‘s story as perfectly acceptable. On the other hand, I predict you will sit perplexed through this movie, set in charming, small town America against the backdrop of a pencil factory striving to stay alive. And when you walk out, Timothy will continue to work his charm on you. Your kids will quickly move on to the next great fable, but you will ponder. You may not even be sure you liked it, even as you wipe the tears from your eyes. But you will know down deep there was a point to be made. What it is depends entirely on you.
I’d love to know what you’re take aways are. But first, you have to see the movie! And Disney has kindly given me five, family four-packs with reserved seating (!) to see a screening of the movie on August 13 at 7 pm at Cielo Vista, 2828 Cinema Ridge. The movie officially opens in theaters on August 15.
Follow the instructions below…be sure to click the green box indicating you “did it” once you’ve completed each option!
And while you’re waiting to see if you won, here are some great activities to download for the last days of summer fun – straight from the clever minds at Disney.
Sounds like I will need an entire of box of tissues!
As for dreams for my child(ren), I wish for them to be happy and share their happiness.
I love these types of movies… can’t wait to see it with my family.
Lilliana recently posted..iPhone Tip for International Travel
My dreams for my gilrs are many but ultimately it’s that they find the same joy in adulthood that they now know as children.
Lilliana recently posted..iPhone Tip for International Travel
I wish for my children…oh, so much. However, ultimately, I want happy, healthy women who positively impact the lives of others on their path to fulfillment.
I have many dreams for my 3 little ones, but ultimately I dream that they always keep God first in their lives.
Love and hapiness in everything they do. I cannot wait to see this movie.
wahhh i love a feel good movie with all the sad thing happening in our world
Can’t wait to see the movie! Looks wonderful
The movie looks so sweet. The girls and I can’t wait to see it!!
My dreams for my 2 kids is to find their purpose in life!!
I’m glad you said it’s not creepy because from the previews I couldn’t decide if it was cute or creepy. We are for sure going to see it.
Lisa @ A Little Slice of Life recently posted..Recipe: Healthier Jambalaya
Oh and my dream for my child is that he finds his purpose in life and follows God with all his heart.
Lisa @ A Little Slice of Life recently posted..Recipe: Healthier Jambalaya
Good luck to me!!!
I’d love to see this movie… a 4 pack would work as long as I could buy 2 more tickets. Thanks for the chance!
MaryBeth recently posted..Missing Teeth
Among many dreams, I hope that my children feel loved and secure and that they will be confident and strong when faced with challenges!