The Odd Life of Timothy Green [Blu-Ray]

If you're easily pleased with sugary-sweet, sentimental flicks, then The Odd Life of Timothy Green is perfect for you, because apart from that, what's left is a predictable tale that tries too hard to tug at the heartstrings. Directed and co-written by Peter Hedges (the other writer is Ahmet Zappa), the film stars Cindy (Jennifer Garner) and Jim Green (Joel Edgerton), a happily married couple who dream of starting a family, but are told by their doctor that they aren't able to conceive. Trying to recover from the devastating news, the couple write a list of traits for their dream child, such as bravery, honesty, big-hearted-ness and the ability to score the winning goal. Putting the traits in a box and burying it in their garden, something magical and crazy ensues. When a young boy named Timothy (C.J. Adams) mysteriously arrives at their doorstep after a stormy night, the couple take him in as their son and ultimately learn the joys of having a family. Centered upon the importance of familial relationships, this fairy tale is excessively sappy and just plain bizarre. Timothy's arrival obviously elicits speculation, but after a thin explanation by the Greens, the rest of their small community doesn't question his existence. In fact, despite his socially awkward demeanour and the weird leaves growing around his ankles, he's perfect in every way. As he warms up to almost everyone he meets, it's almost as if the audience is expected to play along with the characters in the film, who act like his appearance is anything but strange. Garner and Edgerton work very hard to play loving, concerned parents, but their performances are rather annoying and smothering, as they try to impress one-dimensional characters such as Jim's stern father (David Morse) and Cindy's pompous, competitive sister (Rosemarie DeWitt) through Timothy. However, what is impressive is Adams' performance as the sweet-natured Timothy. Charmingly and expressively played, it's hard to find him unlikeable amongst the film's bland characters because he's so lovable and cute. But like much of the plot, it's questionable how his character holds wisdom beyond his years. Unlike many ten-year olds, he's mature and self-sufficient. So much so that he has the confidence to creepily draw a portrait of Cindy's unsympathetic boss (Dianne Wiest) as she lets her hair down and stares almost seductively towards the boy. In fact, this is the strangest scene in the movie, one oddly reminiscent of the famous sketching scene in Titanic. Overtly schmaltzy and predictable, it also isn't a surprise that the Blu-Ray extras include touching featurettes such as "This is Family" and "The Gift of Music," about how the film was made. But given that this is a typical Disney film about love and family values, those who are easily satisfied and touched will be satiated with this during a lazy afternoon.