The Odd Life of Timothy Green
This article first appeared on the Damaris Film Blog and is a discussion guide which is suitable for everyone. Damaris Film and Bible Blog articles are designed for people who are interested in thinking further about films, and about what the Bible has to say about the issues raised.
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© Disney Enterprises, Inc., 2013. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
Summary
Cindy and Jim Green (Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton) are a happily married couple who can't wait to start a family, but can only dream about what their child might be like. When young Timothy (CJ Adams) miraculously appears on their doorstep one stormy night, Cindy and Jim – and their small town of Stanleyville – learn that sometimes the unexpected can bring some of life's greatest gifts.
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© Disney Enterprises, Inc., 2013. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
Background [1]
Warning: contains plot spoilers
Academy Award nominated writer-director Pete Hedges (Dan in Real Life, About a Boy) adapted The Odd Life of Timothy Green from an original idea by producer Ahmet Zappa. Hedges, a father of two, was drawn by the story’s universal appeal, and its combination of magical elements with reflections on family life. ‘Timothy Green asks the question, do children belong to us? I've come to believe that our children don't belong to us, but that we belong to them.’
The filmmakers wanted to look at Timothy’s impact, not only on his immediate family, but also on other families and the wider community. Zappa explains: ‘Timothy is a magic mirror into people's lives. He has a mission to teach his parents, and at the same time, give the town of Stanleyville clarity and let them see each other for who they really are.’ Hedges had previously worked with young actor CJ Adams on Dan in Real Life in 2007, and felt that his ‘sparkle and vivid imagination’ made him perfect for the role of Timothy.
Jennifer Garner (Juno) was cast as Cindy Green due to her ‘humanity and depth’, and her ability to move back and forth between comedy and drama, while Joel Edgerton (Zero Dark Thirty) was cast as Jim due to his combination of strength and vulnerability, and chemistry with Garner.
The Odd Life of Timothy Green was filmed in Atlanta, an area which allowed for the shooting of autumnal landscapes over the winter period. Production designer Wynn Thomas drew inspiration from the earthy colour palettes of iconic American artists Norman Rockwell and Edward Hopper, as well as the surreal work of photographer Gregory Crewdson.
Peter Hedges intended the finished film to have a timeless quality. ‘I believe that when your intentions are clear, and your execution is good, and your heart is in the right place, magic is possible. We were trying to achieve something magical with The Odd Life of Timothy Green and hopefully we succeeded.’
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© Disney Enterprises, Inc., 2013. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
Film title: The Odd Life of Timothy Green
Keywords: Adoption, parenting, families, love, hope, disappointment, goodness, compassion
Director: Peter Hedges
Screenplay: Peter Hedges
Starring: Jennifer Garner, Joel Edgerton, CJ Adams, Odeya Rush
Distributor: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (USA/UK)
Cinema Release Date: 15 August 2012 (USA); 5 April 2013 (UK)
Certificate: PG (USA); U (UK) Contains no material likely to offend or harm
Questions for Discussion
NB: Some questions in this guide are designed for use as a family, or with a children’s group. Look out for the ‘suitable for children’ icon, and choose questions to suit your group. You may, of course, need to adapt the language, depending on the age of the children.
For a key to the symbols used, click here.
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Footnotes
[1] See The Odd Life of Timothy Green production notes.
© 2013 Damaris Trust