The Odd Life of Timothy Green
Cindy (Jennifer Garner) and Jim Green (Joel Edgerton) live in the town of Stanleyville, home of the Stanleyville Pencil Factory. Though happily married, Cindy and Jim long for a child; unfortunately, they are unable to conceive. They bury a box in their backyard, containing all their wishes for what they hope a child of theirs might be. When a boy named Timothy (CJ Adams) magically appears at their door, the Greens learn that sometimes the unexpected can bring some of life's greatest gifts.
Release Date: August 15, 2012
Runtime: 1 hr 44 min
Director: Peter Hedges
Producer: Scott Sanders, Ahmet Zappa, John Cameron, Jim Whitaker, Mara Jacobs
Cast: Dianne Wiest, James Rebhorn, Lois Smith, M. Walsh, Ron Livingston, Jennifer Garner, David Morse, Joel Edgerton, Common , Shohreh Aghdashloo, Rosemarie DeWitt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Odeya Rush, CJ Adams
(less)Ok for ages 8+ . What would you rate it?
Rated PG Mild Thematic Elements|Brief Language
- Sex & Nudity
- Violence & Gore
- Profanity
Content details via Kids-In-Mind
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Reviews
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"The Odd Life of Timothy Green" is a feel-good movie that shows the impact of one little boy on a family and community that is a tear-jerker towards the end.
Jennifer Garner and Joe Edgerton play a set of parents who want a child but aren't able to have one. To help cope with this, they write down everything they want in a child and bury it in the garden. A rare storm passes through and they find a very muddy 10-year-old Timothy in their house calling them mom and dad.
Their parenting antics are relatable and can be humorous as they try to protect and encourage their son while maintaining reasonable expectations. Relationships with extended family members also come up, too.
There are other lessons about courage, persistence in solving seemingly impossible problems, handling bullies, accepting those with differences and believing in yourself throughout the film.
However, infertility and adoption are a constant undercurrent throughout the film and so it may be worthwhile to make sure kids can separate fact from fiction about where babies do come from, adoption and the end of life. And that burying a box of things they want in a sibling and waiting for it to rain isn't a good way to hope for a new sibling. -
Cute movie! It was a fun mother daughter date movie with my 12 year old. She enjoyed the light hearted kid point of view of this flick. At the same time, I really enjoyed pondering the best question the film asks of parents: If you could make to order your child's personal qualities, could you live with that? It was a gentle reminder that our children are their own people, and that when we accept that they are not many versions of ourselves, we are privileged to be along for the story of their lives.
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This is a wonderful, sweet family friendly movie. A couple longing to have a child is surprised one stormy night by a boy in their house. Timothy, the boy, teaches us about the small joys in life and how to embrace every moment.
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As peculiar as the actual plot is, this movie plays with the emotions of the audience and keeps you interested.
It does leave a lot of questions unanswered but does a great job at making you want to be a better parent, friend, employee, boss, an person in general. -
Good. Not amazing but good.
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I love this movie it make you thanking a bout how life is what you want in life some you can move on i WOULD say kids well like it so go sed it
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I absolutely loved this movie! It was uplifting and beautiful. It might appeal more to an older audience, just because of the theme -- but it is completely appropriate for children. It gave me lots to think about -- especially along the lines of the love parents have for their children and what that means.
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fun flick that will tug on you funny bone and your heart strings
February 17th, 2013 Details -
A great feel good show for the family.
February 8th, 2013 Details -
It was alright. Very slow moving and that made it hard for me to stay interested. I wouldn't see it again.
October 2nd, 2012 Details -
This movie simply made me feel all warm and fuzzy. Timothy Green is the perfect example of a beautiful and happy child who's positive attitude beams, touching everyone with a little ray of sunshine. I felt the added elements of real life in this movie like real life parenting, worrying, having the cocky sister with the "perfect" kids, bullying, work strife and etc made it less cliche and more heartwarming.
You're rooting for this family the entire film!
I love this movie and believe it is most definitely worth your time.November 27th, 2012 Details -
Maybe those who believe in sticky-sweet miracles will have an easy time sitting through The Odd Life of Timothy Green. But for many it will be hard to overlook the unfortunate combination of mawkish sentimentality and gaping plot holes that characterizes this well-intentioned film.... Mostly, 'The Odd Life of Timothy Green' feels contrived, if undeniably sweet... Read full review here
December 13th, 2012 Details -
Nice and family friendly. I would be fine with my kids seeing it. However, it was not as moving or inspirational as I hoped it would be. It was more bland than I expected. I agree with Claudia Puig's (USA TODAY) critique below.
February 12th, 2013 Details