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The Odd Life of Timothy Green

Play trailer Poster for The Odd Life of Timothy Green PG Released Aug 15, 2012 1h 44m Kids & Family Comedy Drama Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
36% Tomatometer 129 Reviews 67% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
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.
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The Odd Life of Timothy Green

The Odd Life of Timothy Green

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Critics Consensus

It means well, but The Odd Life of Timothy Green is ultimately too cloyingly sentimental -- and thinly scripted -- to satisfy all but the least demanding viewers.

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Critics Reviews

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David Jenkins Little White Lies A gooey mess, but not an entirely dislikable one. Rated: 2/5 Apr 4, 2013 Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian The Odd Life Of Timothy Green made me shiver, like having a lizard crawl over your face when you're asleep. Rated: 1/5 Apr 4, 2013 Full Review Robbie Collin Daily Telegraph (UK) Has ever a film battled more fruitlessly against the creepiness of its own premise than The Odd Life of Timothy Green? Rated: 2/5 Apr 4, 2013 Full Review Mark Jackson Epoch Times A wonderful tale about the power of intention, being careful what you wish for, self-acceptance, love, loss, and new beginnings. Rated: 3.5/5 Mar 26, 2022 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Struggles to find creativity, worthy comedy, and resonance. Rated: 3/10 Dec 2, 2020 Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com A good majority of children will find much to enjoy here and parents will no doubt appreciate the film's positive message, inspiring characters, and genuinely good heart. Rated: 3.0/4.0 Sep 18, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Dale R Based on a story by Ahmet Zappa, a young couple mourns after being told they cannot conceive and copes by creating a fictional perfect child who they get to meet later that night. The story for this film is straightforward with a fantasy element to it and has a lot of heart. Jennifer Garner is really good at playing a mother figure and CJ Adams does a great job playing the titular character. I understand this movie might not be for everyone, but I enjoyed it and maybe you will too. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/07/24 Full Review Zavier S This movie is filled with comedy, emotion, and heart felt moments. This movie is incredible and I believe it's one of a kind and very engaging. I've seen this movie several times throughout the years and it is hard to make me cry, but when you finish this movie you will cry too. It's sad but also so sweet. I definitely know this movie is a 10/10 and is very underrated. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/23/24 Full Review Cole S It's an odd concept sure and yes it didn't really create a storm in the office but I love this movie and Reggie is such a great character in it!Funny and really stole the show (not just saying this because it's Lin-Manuel Miranda)Underrated but so good! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/17/24 Full Review isla s This is a sentimental yet also quite charming family friendly film. I thought CJ Adams gave a great performance as the titular character, seeming quite naive and optimistic, which his newfound parents love and the story was quite endearing. There is a predictability about it, with morals primarily about not making fun of people who are different, who aren't good at the same things as others. There's an anti-bullying aspect to it and I found myself wishing for the best for the parents - Cindy and Jim Green, played by Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton. This film features a decent cast, an interesting plot, although its a little predictable perhaps but for a family friendly, easy to watch film its relatively good, so I'd give it a 4 out of 5 and say its worth a watch if it sounds of interest to you. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review joel h The Odd Life of Timothy Green is certainly odd, but it also starts out sweet. However, eventually the sweet turns into sappy, and the odd turns into just plain weird. The balance is all off between the real and the surreal, and the ending gets pretty heavy-handed with some sloppy writing. The actor who plays Timothy Green is likeable enough, but this movie could have used some pruning. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member The struggle of parenting and loving someone you ultimately have little control over. The hope of still hoping even when all options seem exhausted. The importance of the kind truth. Centrality of family. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Odd Life of Timothy Green

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis 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.
Director
Peter Hedges
Producer
Ahmet Zappa, Scott Sanders, James Whitaker
Screenwriter
Peter Hedges
Distributor
Walt Disney
Production Co
Walt Disney Studios
Rating
PG (Mild Thematic Elements|Brief Language)
Genre
Kids & Family, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 15, 2012, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$51.9M
Runtime
1h 44m
Sound Mix
Datasat, Dolby Digital
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