Parents hold their children’s hands for just a little while … their hearts forever
– Author Unknown
It feels like I was just holding my baby boy in my arms, gazing into his deep brown eyes while I nursed him for the first time in the hospital. Wiser parents who have gone before me warned me about how quickly the time goes by. As soon as I felt like I had mastered one stage, my son was on to the next. Five years ago, my life changed completely and when I think about the next five years, I realize how much I must savor each moment…each joy…each trial…each everything.
Tomorrow, Disney’s enchanted story titled, The Odd Life of Timothy Green, comes to life in theaters nationwide. The film stars Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Garner as Jim and Cindy Green, a couple who’s struggle with infertility comes to a devastating end. From the moment the film opens, I personally formed an attachment to the couple, particularly Garner. While I can’t relate to the heartbreak of being unable to have a child, I understand that intense desire to be a mom.
The film is a retrospective account of how the Greens lives were changed by a fascinating little boy named Timothy. Just after the Greens receive news that they will never have a biological child, Jim and Cindy spend one last night writing all of their hopes and dreams for their child down on paper. That night, they box them up and bury them in their garden in an attempt to move forward with their life.
After a torrential storm hits that night, oddly enough only over their home, the Greens wake up to find Timothy, a 10 year old boy who mysteriously appears from the garden. They soon learn that the boy not only exhibits all of the characteristics they longed for in a child, but he also displays some truly unique physical attributes.
As the film progresses, Timothy teaches the Greens important life lessons. He has a sense about him…a knowing…a unique insight about life that he imparts on everyone he meets in the town. From the moment he appears, audiences know that his time is short-lived. When I spoke to Jennifer Garner last month, she stated that one of the resonating themes of the film is to embrace the moment…to live in the now. This film is about recognizing and making the most of the short time we have with our children.
There are many layers to the film, which covers a broad range of topics including infertility struggles, adoption, friendship, familial love, and embracing those characteristics that make you unique. The film is heartwarming and will definitely move many, particularly parents or would-be parents, to tears. “This movie is more true about parenthood than any I’ve seen.” (Jennifer Garner).
The Odd Life of Timothy Green is in theaters nationwide Wednesday, August 15th.
Be sure to come back tomorrow for my exclusive one-on-one interview with Jennifer Garner.
No compensation was received for this post. I attended a screening and a media event which helped facilitate this review.
- Discover Luxury at Sonesta Irvine: Your Ideal Staycation - August 8, 2024
- CHOC Walk Returns to the Disneyland Resort – Special Events and Ways to Support - June 28, 2023
- Beastly Ball Returns to the Los Angeles Zoo - May 8, 2023
Leave a Reply