Disney Touches Hearts with “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” {Review}

I was anxious when “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” showed up at my doorstep. When offered this review my heart was torn in two directions. My parents had seen the movie in theaters and although they raved about how great the film was, they warned about it’s core storyline – infertility and child loss. Could I watch a movie that touched so closely to my heart? The other part of me felt I had an opportunity to share my perspective on a story that too many relate to and too few realize unless they’re living it themselves.

My husband and I sat down together, took deep breathes and pushed play. Within the first five minutes we were both openly crying tears that flow from a place far too real. We related to many aspects of this touching story and likely in ways that maybe even Disney didn’t consider.

A couple faces their doctor and hear words that no couple wants to hear. Their attempts at conceiving a child have all failed and there is nothing more to offer them. I have far too many friends who have sat in that chair. I’ve sat in it myself and responded by begging to be allowed another chance at IUI (intrauterine insemination) only to conceive and then lose triplets at 22 weeks. I’ve lived the feelings of this couple and her sobs have been my own.

Before completely giving up hope on their dreams of a child the couple writes down all of the things they dreamed their child would be, puts them in a box and buries them in the garden. This scene dug into my heart like no other. Prior to the birth of my daughter (now 3.5) my husband and I lost two babies. We had no promises of a baby and lived many nights wondering if we would ever be given a child to raise. We were indeed blessed with our miracle girl and watch her grow, and in some cases, become those dreams. In other ways she is very much her own person and lives her own dreams in ways we could never imagine. However this year we also lost our triplets and literally had to place them, along with our dreams for them, in a box. I couldn’t help but think of that very tangible connection to this couple as they placed their hopes and dreams for a child in a box. No couple should have to live that moment.

We wiped our tears and made it through those excruciating first moments of the movie and from there Disney took us on a journey that we never expected. This story is truly heart warming and whimsical. They are able to turn the hopes and dreams of this couple into a fairytale of sorts. As with any fairytale it has its ups and downs and doesn’t always have the expected happy ending. They manage to relate the heartache of people suffering from both infertility and child loss to others in a way that was unique. I hope that others watching can feel some of the hope, joy and pain that many of us have sadly had to live in their real lives.

If you’ve suffered through infertility or lived through the unending heartache of child loss be cautious watching this movie. Prepare your heart for some hard moments but also be prepared for an uplifting message of hope as well and be open to the joy that is also a big part of this story. May I also take this opportunity to say that if that is indeed you – you’re not alone. I’m so sorry for your struggles, for the times that nobody understood, for the friends and family who can have a child without trials, and for your loss whether it is of a child you carried, a child you held, or the child you always dreamed of.

 “The Odd Life of Timothy Green,” one of the year’s most uplifting and enchanting family films, sprung up on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, DVD, High Definition Digital and On-Demand platforms on December 4, 2012. It’s the perfect, must-own family-film for audiences of all ages to enjoy and snuggle up to this coming holiday season.

Synopsis

From Academy Award-nominated writer/director Peter Hedges (“Dan in Real Life”, “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape”), and starring Golden Globe® winner Jennifer Garner, Joel Edgerton, Oscar® winner Dianne Wiest and CJ Adams as Timothy Green, comes this highly imaginative story about a happily married couple who can’t wait to start a family but can only dream about what their child would be like. Then one stormy night young Timothy shows up on their doorstep. Soon they and the small town in which they live learn that sometimes the unexpected can bring some of life’s greatest gifts. The story is written by Ahmet Zappa (“American Gangster,” “Changeling”). Bonus features, include a documentary “Family Roots: Bringing ‘The Odd Life of Timothy Green’ to the Screen,” which looks at this unique family story and the creative team that brought it to life; “Glen Hansard: Behind ‘This Gift” – the Academy Award® winning songwriter tells how he and Marketa Irglova crafted the moving end-credits song; “This Gift” Music Video by Glen Hansard and much more!!!

BUY IT:

This title has a list price of $39.99. Order a copy of your own directly through Disney’s web site where they link you to several sites offering it for varying discounted rates. You can also find it at retailers nationwide, including our affiliate Amazon for a discount and free shipping!

Disclosure: I received a copy of the film for the purpose of this review however all thoughts remain 100% my own.