The Odd Life of Timothy Green

I'm almost completely at a loss to describe this film, except to say that it's a huge feel good factor film that has you almost in tears with its sheer message of hope and goodness - and yet it's silly and almost childish. I loved it, but I imagine that many people would find it too trite for words.

In many ways, it's a "new age" fairy tale, certainly a fantasy. A few years ago I'm certain that a religious side would have been built on to it, but nowadays they very sensibly leave specific religion out - there are themes of providence, free will and the basic decent goodness of humanity but not God. It tells basically a moral tale, almost a parable, but Jesus or moralising is nowhere to be seen.

The story is basically this: a loving couple has been trying for a child for many years but finally give up hope. They are not at all certain that they either want to adopt a child or whether they will be allowed to. They reminisce one last time - and following a rain storm, they find a child in their house - he has evidently come from the garden, where they have buried a box containing notes of what they hope their child would have been. We then go through the trials and tribulations of parenthood as Timothy goes about his business. He has leaves growing from his legs - as he achieves his parent's hopes, the leaves gradually fall off - until they eventually disappear - as does he, and the film ends with the parents taking delivery of a real life orphan child.

I don't know what to say other than that it's a tale of a child growing up, his patents learning to cope with it, and the changing inter personal relationships of everyone concerned. Some might find it too tacky or saccharine - but I say, if you fancy a feel good, motivational and a gentle "putting the world to rights" film, you could do a lot worse than going to see this....but keep an open mind about you!

07.04.13