The Odd Life of Timothy Green: meaningful lessons

Written by Mark Schumann, Father of Three
Thursday, 23 August 2012 11:10

Each week, the Reel Dad checks the nutritional value of a movie — new or classic — to help parents choose what to watch. This week’s pick is a new film from the Disney studios, The Odd Life of Timothy Green.

Leave it to Disney to, once again, remind us of the mess parents can create when we overplay our best intentions. Just as Mary Poppins taught Mr. Banks how to be a better father, and Hayley Mills brought her divorced parents together in the original The Parent Trap, a magical young boy teaches essential lessons of parenting in The Odd Life of Timothy Green.

From the start, we know we are in a Disney film. We visit a small town that is as charming as we expect including its iconic pencil factory. We meet a young, childless couple living in an ideal house on a picture-perfect piece of land. And we catch glimpses into their community of support in a special place they call home.

This couple wants to experience parenthood. One evening, after learning they will not be able to have their own children, the couple writes down every quality they would have hoped for in a child. Magically, their wish list is absorbed by their Disney world and, within minutes, a young boy appears in their lives. This charming child, Timothy, arrives with all the qualities they envisioned as well as the unusual ability to grow leaves on his legs. The three become an immediate family as the couple begins to learn how challenging being parents can be.

With its foundation of fantasy, Timothy Green tries to explore real issues of parenting. Timothy’s instant parents, while wanting the best for their son, let themselves get consumed by how they feel each time the boy succeeds or fails. Suddenly parenting becomes as much about the parents as the child and this couple — so intent to be the best at raising a son — begin to focus more on themselves than on the child they always wanted.

Because this is a Disney film, any issues are explored with a traditional gloss. Writer/director Peter Hedges — who penned the memorable About a Boy — attempts to introduce serious parenting topics into the discussion. But his well-intentioned efforts are somewhat undermined by the overall cleanliness of his film. There is, simply, never any mess to clean up, as the characters live day-to-day in a well-manicured setting. Even their emotions can feel pre-packaged as if Hedges holds back in fully exploring how parents can let their intentions get in the way of their effectiveness.

Hedges’ efforts, though, benefit from a strong cast. Young CJ Adams is an ideal Timothy with his sly sense of humor, strong sense of sincerity and natural screen presence. Jennifer Garner effectively balances a mother’s caring with the character’s natural selfishness while Joel Edgerton makes the most of the under-written role of Timothy’s father. Best of all are the small contributions from a bevy of strong character actors, led by Dianne Wiest who creates yet another memorable portrayal of an eccentric woman. 

As parents, we try to do everything we can for our children. Sometimes our best intentions can be misunderstood. The Odd Life of Timothy Green — with its story rooted in fantasy and moral grounded in reality — reminds us that, however we parent, the children must come first.

Film Nutritional Value

The Odd Life of Timothy Green

* Content: High. Even with the Disney gloss, the film offers important lessons to parents about what children really need.

* Entertainment: High. The film effectively holds interest, captures the imagination and touches the heart.

* Message: Medium. As parents, we can always be reminded of where our focus should be when it comes to our children.

* Relevance: High. Any opportunity to explore the relationships between parents and children is worthwhile.

* Opportunity for Dialogue: High. You and your children will find a lot to discuss about Timothy, his parents and how his arrival creates positive change.

The Odd Life of Timothy Green is rated PG for mild thematic elements and brief language, and runs 105 minutes.

3 Popcorn Buckets