Last night, my dear friend Ari and I went to see Disney's The Odd Life of Timothy Green. I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but it's got the right mix of comedy, drama and magic that is a perfect little piece for both kids and adults.
The story centres around Cindy and Jim Green, (played by Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton) a couple in a small town who are told that after years of trying, they are unable to conceive. Obviously, the parents are heartbroken. One night, over wine, the pair start talking all about the child that they can't have. The begin scribbling notes down on paper and then bury the notes in their home garden.
That's when a little night magic happens and they wake up to find a sweet boy who says his name is Timothy (perfectly played by CJ Adams) is in their house, calling them Mom and Dad. Timothy seems to be very wise and very curious....and he's got some small leaves growing out of the bottom of his legs.
At it's core, this movie is about the fear and failures we face as new parents. About learning to let go, not get too involved and watch as our children grow. I was an emotional mess throughout the movie, as there were so many sweet little nods to parenthood throughout and CJ Adams has one of the most expressive faces I've ever seen on a child.
Garner and Edgerton are supported by an excellent supporting cast (Rosemarie De Witt as Cindy's uptight sister Brenda is a fantastic and polar opposite to Cindy's parenting style), and I can't say enough good things about CJ "Timothy" Adams. Jennifer Garner had this to say about CJ; "CJ is so perfectly cast...he is a lot like Timothy Green and he has a lot of the really mystical, beautiful qualities that Timothy Green has. CJ has this openness of his heart; he’s just pure sweetness. He is patient and kind and tender, and Timothy is like that as well."
Although summer's not over yet, I do think this one is worth taking an afternoon and heading into the theatre with your kids (I'd recommend kids over 8 or 9 because of some themes that may be over little guy's heads including death and first love). The kids will learn that it's ok just to be who they are and you'll learn that making the mistakes we all continue to make every day are universal to all parents.
The Odd Life of Timothy Green opens Wednesday, August 15.
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