Review

The Odd Life of Timothy Green

  • Review Date: August 15, 2012
  • PG
  • Genre: Drama
  • 2012

Common Sense Media says

Tearjerking family drama about the magic of raising a kid.
Age
8
Quality
 
  • Positive messages4
    Some sweet messages about family, parent-child relationships, and the joys of living in a small town where everyone knows each other. Timothy makes people think, isn't afraid to tell the truth when no one else will, and has no problems being different.
  • Positive role models4
    The Greens are wonderful parents. They're caring, encouraging, and love him unconditionally. Timothy himself is as magical as you'd expect: earnest, kind, and generous in spirit, without a mean bone in his body. He always tells the truth and sees the beauty in everything. He's an optimist and unafraid of failure. He's a sweet example to kids about always looking at the bright side.
  • Violence1
    Some kids will be disturbed by the fact that Timothy magically disappears, just as he first appeared. It's an emotional, upsetting scene, and tears should be expected. A grandfather dies in front of his loved ones in a hospital. Timothy is bullied/humiliated by classmates but doesn't realize it, since he's never been in school. Joni saves Timothy from drowning at a birthday party.
  • Sex1
    Brief kisses between Mr. and Mrs. Green, and Timothy and Joni have a unique, incredibly close relationship that could be construed as a strong crush.
  • Language1
    Very sparing "hell" and "oh God" (as an exclamation), plus mild insults like "stupid," "loser," "freak," etc.
  • Consumerism0
    Not applicable.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking1
    The Greens have lots of wine on the night they dream up all their wishes for a child.
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that The Odd Life of Timothy Green is a Disney family film that uses "magical realism" to explain how an infertile couple gets to parent the kid of their (literal) dreams. As you might expect from the premise, the movie gets pretty weepy at times (for both on-screen and off-screen parents), but it will remind families about the joy of being together and being each other's biggest cheerleaders. There are a couple of sad scenes, as well as some bullying incidents and language, but otherwise this is the sort of live-action movie that kids and adults can enjoy together, even if they need a tissue or two by the end.

This review of The Odd Life of Timothy Green was written by
Age
9
Based on 20 parent & educator reviews:
  • 65% say there are positive messages
  • 55% say there are positive role models
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

Parent
August 17, 2012
18
Not for Kids
 
Upside down emphasis of "the role model"
We don't need to share movies with our 8 year-old children where the theme is, "how our kids can change their parents," we need movies where the parents are strong role models and the kids change because they trust, believe and obey their parents - that's how we should teach that "kids rule" not the opposite way. Parents rule, and kids rule when they obey. They can question why, and they deserve an explanation, but in the end, the parents' way must be followed until kids are 18 - 21 years old, then then can test the waters.
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Helped me decide (64) | Had useful details (70) | Read my mind (58)
Parent of 8 and 10 year old
August 16, 2012
17
Pause for kids & under
 
Sad for no reason.
This movie was so needlessly depressing. Everything was sad and disappointing. Such a downer! I wish I would have taken my kids swimming instead.
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Helped me decide (68) | Had useful details (56) | Read my mind (66)
Kid, 9 years old
August 15, 2012
8
Pause for kids & under
 
Tears? Well they tried...
In the trailer it looked like a cheesy predictable movie to me. Disney tried to make a tear fall. But no. Like "a dolphin tale" I never cried in movies. But, let's count how many movies Disney made that had, "gifted kids" and I guess thats disneys goal. Like, Disney just stop. The gifted thing needs to stop. But this movie didnt get the tears it wanted. Maybe, for adults. But for kids it maybe cheesy. It teaches lessons, valuable lessons. I suggest you can watch it, but if you want cheesy humor,some predictable scenes,and a bit of sweetness, this is the movie for you.
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Helped me decide (58) | Had useful details (61) | Read my mind (67)
Teen, 15 years old
August 15, 2012
2
OK for kids & up
 
Loved it
Excellent movie with a message
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Helped me decide (55) | Had useful details (65) | Read my mind (62)
Kid, 12 years old
August 15, 2012
2
OK for kids & up
 
But good
It was sooo sad
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Helped me decide (62) | Had useful details (58) | Read my mind (59)
Parent
August 15, 2012
7
Pause for kids & under
 
It's an okay film.
This movie was an okay film. One thing that disappointed me was the story. Yes it's an okay film, but we have heard this type of story many times. I try to make things not seem horrible, because they really aren't, but the scenes in this movie will probably scare younger ones. Also, the bullies in this movie could in fact make some children wonder if bullying is the right way to go. Language is really no cursing. Overall if your looking for some drama, mixed in with sweetness, go for it.
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Helped me decide (55) | Had useful details (54) | Read my mind (62)
Teen, 17 years old
August 15, 2012
2
OK for kids & up
 
Its good
It is a good and sad movie
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Helped me decide (56) | Had useful details (60) | Read my mind (52)
Teen, 17 years old
August 15, 2012
2
OK for kids & up
 
No swearing or any bad stuff
It's ok for kids
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Parent
August 17, 2012
4
OK for kids & up
 
A film the world has been wating for! Five Stars*****
This movie is getting standing ovations by audiences all over the country! Each scene is so wonderfully filled with laughter and wisdom that you don't want the film to end.. The reality is, you want to rush home and call all your friends and return to the next showing.to share the excitement with them. All the actors in this movie give excellent memorable performances!!! The cinematography alone will leave you with happy goose bumps and eye filled longing for the glorious colors of Fall. This is definatley another Peter Hedges classic, ie, "What's Eating Gilbert Grape." Grandparents, parents and children will love this film
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Parent
August 15, 2012
8
OK for kids & up
 
Tear
It got a tear out of most peoples eyes
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Helped me decide (53) | Had useful details (46) | Read my mind (56)
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