Movie Review – “The Odd Life of Timothy Green”

In Hollywood, the adoption process and the foster care process is often intertwined heavily with dramatic plot twists and exciting, yet unrealistic events. When a film does arise that can accurately portray the journey of adoption, it is always great to share its story. One such film is the Disney movie, “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” starring Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton. This movie focuses on Cindy and Tim Green as they struggle to start a family. When a mysterious young boy comes to them one night claiming Jim and Cindy as his parents, they experience what it is like to be parents for the first time. Below is a brief review from staff member Chris Fancher.

‘A repeated motif throughout the film is this idea of “creation.” In fact, Tim Green, new father in the movie, even states at one point that he, “thought to be a part of making something, that’s a great feeling.” From the very opening credit with the Green family’s struggle with infertility, to creation of their child on notebook pages, to the invention of the pencil made of leaves, this concept of creation is strong throughout the story.

I find this as meaningful because the process of adoption and fostering can be considered a “loss of the ability to create.” With a movie that is associated so closely with adoption and foster care, the strong motif of creation suggests something more than simple irony. I believe that the juxtaposition of this creation motif and the adoption and fostering themes throughout the movie implies that the processes of adoption and foster care are creation, just in a different way than we are accustomed to. Timothy Green’s life shows us that adoption is not a “loss of the ability to create” but just a different way to.

I would recommend “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” to anyone who is searching for a great movie, and especially those who are considering starting the adoption or foster journey.’

With this being a Disney production, you may want to keep an eye on the Disney Channel’s programming schedule to see when it is next aired. If you were to sign up to one of the available dish tv packages 2021, you should be able to access the channel – and up to 290 others, including 88k+ on-demand titles – and may even get a DVR included, so you’ll be able to record it when it’s on.

You can order the movie “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” on Tapestry Books!