Hey All!
As you all know I went to NYC a few months ago for The Avengers. We had the amazing opportunity to see that film as well as two other films which were People Like Us and the amazing film The Odd Life of Timothy Green! Yep that is me a few months ago in NYC at the Disney Screening room.
The amazing Peter Hedges (The Director of this film and Films like What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and Dan in Real Life) came out and spoke to us! He gave us such eye opening experiences with his children that left us in tears before the movie even began!
I also had the opportunity as you know to attend the world premiere this week and saw the film again!
I have say The Odd Life of Timothy Green was even better the second time around! Jennifer Garner (13 Going on 30, Juno) and Joel Edgerton (Warrior, Animal Kingdom) play Cindy and Jim Green; a young married couple that for whatever reason are unable to conceive a child biologically. This is a true tragedy because of their love and genuine passion to be parents. After a truly emotionally difficult day, they decide to call it quits on attempting conception and during a night of lovingly discussing their “dream child,” they inadvertently make a magical wish. Their magical wish is granted in the form of a ten year old boy named Timothy. He is a special boy who has leaves on his ankles. While the means of Timothy’s arrival is supernatural, that is the extent of the fantasy in the film. This is not to say that there are not some “magical” moments throughout the film. Timothy has a gift of connecting to people and inspiring great deeds. These are truly touching moments in the film. This is where the film truly stands out. In the summer block buster season where there are time travelling aliens, dinosaurs, and super heroes; this film brings a real heart and story.
In regards to believable characters, this film is full of an amazing cast. As previously mentioned Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton play the parents. David Morse plays Edgerton’s stern and difficult father. Dianne Wiest is Garner’s cold and unrelenting boss. Ron Livingston is Edgerton’s useless, mean, but still entertaining boss. The great M. Emmet Walsh is Garner’s hilarious uncle. And rapper turn actor Common gives what is probably his best performance to date as a militant soccer couch. All of these performances really help to fill the film, but the most charming performance comes from young C.J. Adams as the titular character Timothy Green. C.J. at such a young age is able to convey naiveté and wisdom beyond his years all at once. He creates a full and believable character instead of just some plot point with idiosyncrasies. This is C.J.’s second role, the first being in Dan in Real Life (also written directed by Peter Hedges the writer and director of this film).
Peter Hedges (writer of such films as About a Boy, Pieces of April and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape) gives his fourth directorial feature and it is an instant classic. Hedges’ deftly balances the supernatural and the believable, the subtle and the obvious, the loud and the quiet. This story could have so easily been cheesy and ridiculous, but Hedges approaches the film with a seriousness that I honestly did not expect. There are slight comments about how society views biological children vs. adopted. How being different will get noticed negatively but also how inner strength and outer support can make those biases seem ridiculously petty. For that reason this film is not only the best family film of the year, but also one of the best family films that have come along in a very long time. When referring to this film as a family film, I don’t mean it’s just family friendly, I also mean it is about family. The film is all about what a family is and how a family should be to each other!
Run out August 15th to theaters to see this movie with the whole family! As you can see I loved it and you and your family will too!
For all the latest info on The Odd Life of Timothy Green check out their website, facebook and on twitter.
***Disclosure: I was not compensated or paid in any way for this post. I solely attended a free screening of this film and I am sharing this for the benefit of my readers. All opinions are my own.***
Written By Vanessa D. and Jesse D. For thequeenofswag.com
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