Featuring an original story, a slew of interesting characters, and a tame, moralistic ending, there is little to not love when it comes to Peter Hodges' The Odd Life of Timothy Green. And with school just over the horizon, there is no better treat than this sweet, innocent, family-friendly affair.
The story centers on Cindy and Jim Green, a happily married couple who have just learned that they are unable to have children of their own. Distraught over the news, they confide in the qualities that their child would have had. When Timothy shows up one dark, stormy night, Cindy and Jim begin to realize that sometimes the unexpected hold life's most precious gifts.
While Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton share an undeniable chemistry with one another, it is the overall fluidity of the townspeople that truly separates this film from the rest. Every character has their place, and as the citizens of Stanleyville begin to come together, their personalities mesh like pieces to a complex jigsaw puzzle. Everyone serves their purpose, and at the end of it all, you begin to feel that the on-screen relationships are lasting ones"”a true feat for any film.
Newcomer CJ Adams gives a gutsy performance as all-inclusive difference maker Timothy Green. His portrayal is critical to the overall success of the story, and even against such talents as Garner, Edgerton, Diane Wiest, and Rosemarie DeWitt, the kid holds his own in fine form. I will admit that his character got a bit cheesy during the film's final act and that I was ready for him to return to the garden, but the entire concept was that he had little room for growth, so his final scenes have to be taken with a slight grain of salt.
Otherwise, the film is a true-to-form success. I am honestly surprised that it wasn't released closer to the holidays, seeing as it hasn't shied away from the family aspect. But to each their own. The Odd Life of Timothy Green makes for a great last hooray before heading back to the classroom (for kids and parents of all ages).
