Reviewed: The Odd Life of Timothy Green

The Odd Life of Timothy Green will show at Chisholm Trail Eight until Sept. 13. (Theatrical Release Poster)

by Marissa Hochstetler – Horizon Co-Editor

Judging by its trailer, I expected “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” to be lighthearted, comical, and enjoyable. That was not quite the case.

“The Odd Life of Timothy Green” turned out to be a couple crayons short of a full box. The storyline, though reasonably far fetched, was pretty cute: Cindy and Jim Green find out they are unable to have kids of their own. In their grief, they start to make a list of all the things their kid would be. They bury the box containing the list in the garden and it sprouts in to a ten-year-old boy who comes to join them in the middle of the night.

In addition to the main storyline, the Pencil Factory that employs a big percent of the town’s population is in the process of being shut down. Throughout all this, the Greens maintain an optimistic attitude and learn to love their new son as their own, but the movie takes a melancholy turn when they realize the significance of Timothy’s leaves.

According to RottenTomatoes.com, 72% of audience members liked it. Sean Means of the Salt Lake Tribune stated on RottenTomatoes.com, “[It] gets a tad bittersweet in its finale, but its Disney schmaltz of the highest order. By the end, the movie grows on you.”

According to the critics, “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” missed its mark. Keith Phipps, on MetaCritic.com, said, “The Odd Life Of Timothy Green attempts to stage a modern fairy tale in Middle America. But in spite of an abundance of earnestness, the pixie dust needed to create magic remains out of the film’s reach.”

For me, it was the lack of excitement. I found myself getting more than a little bored as Timothy tried to be normal while Jim and Cindy were doing their best to give him the “perfect childhood.”

If you’re looking for a simple, feel good movie, “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” is for you. If you are looking for a little more depth, I’d keep searching.

Coming Soon to the Chisholm Trail Movie Theater:

“Finding Nemo” – September 14: Re-released in 3D!

“Won’t Back Down” – September 28: A mother’s struggle to improve her daughter’s chance at a good education

“Breaking Dawn Part 2” – November 16: The final installment of the Twilight Saga

“The Hobbit” – December 14: A long-awaited prequel to the Lord of the Rings Trilogy

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