Movie Review: "The Odd Life of Timothy Green"

“Everyone he touches – he changes.” The words are simple but the message is powerful. This film could be my life story.

My husband and I (Cynthia and Jim Falardeau) are mirror images of Cynthia and Jim Green, a childless couple, who go to great lengths to try to become parents. The doctor’s words were ones we had heard, “No one has tried harder or exhausted more financial resources.”

The picture details the heart break of wanting something so badly that you don’t want to let go. In a last ditch effort they try an unconventional and ridiculous ritual to move past their grief.

Just like them, when all hope seemed lost, the gift of a child, Timothy, is given to them.

Timothy is not quite the child they expected. He is different. The leaves that grow on his legs challenge the Greens to deal with what many parents never get past – trying to “fix their child” for the sake of their own insecurities.

However, their love for this supernatural youngster teaches them to embrace differences, come to terms with emotional scars (from their childhood) and to avoid the parent trap of trying to create the perfect-overachieving child. It’s a lesson that each of us has something to contribute. We all have the potential to be amazing.

As un-gifted as Timothy first appears – he reveals his many talents to his parents and the community. At one point when life looks bleak for the future of his parents and the main employer, the pencil factor, he asks, “Why can’t you fix it?” Timothy’s belief in his Mom and Dad inspires them to dream and come up with a solution.

Just when his exceptionalities are accepted – the movie takes an unexpected twist.

My son, Wyatt, and I saw the movie together. He is our Timothy – an unexpected gift. He is not the child we expected but he is so much more.

Wyatt, like Timothy, has taught us many lessons. His abounding love and happy spirit is a daily reminder that anything is possible when love is present.

Just like Timothy, our son always tells us…”Never give up!”