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THE ODD LIFE OF TIMOTHY GREENMovie Reviews
Comedy fantasy about a couple whose wish for a child may be fulfilled when a young boy shows up on their doorstep on a stormy night. Cast:Jennifer Garner, Joel Edgerton, Dianne Wiest, CJ Adams, Rosemarie DeWitt, Ron Livingston, M. Emmet Walsh, Odeya Rush, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Lois Smith, David Morse, CommonDirector:Peter HedgesRelease Date:August 15, 2012DVD Release:December 4, 2012From:Walt Disney PicturesRating:PGLength:2 hr 5 min
The Odd Life of Timothy Green played to mixed reviews. • Bill Goodykoontz wrote in the Arizona Republic, "...doesn't quite add up, ultimately, but its heart is in the right place. It is sweet but tries to avoid sentimentality, at least for as long as it can..." More Reviews Below...
The Odd Life of Timothy Green Positive Reviews (40 Reviews, reviews below)
Alynda Wheat, People: MODERATE(cg) "A boy springs to life from a garden, but there's no magic, with Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Garner as parents of freshly picked Timothy.... tedious..."(See all of Alynda Wheat's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 81 words, 08/16/12
Mary Pols, Time: FAIR "...a sentimental blend of magical realism and saccharine emotions... more odd than wonderful. Only venture into it if you're feeling very soft hearted."(See all of Mary Pols's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 894 words, 08/17/12
David Germain, Associated Press: MODERATE(cg) "...a very pretty movie to look at, awash in postcard images of rural America.... Beneath the pretty pictures is a silly, shallow stab at Capra-corn..."(See all of David Germain's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 671 words, 08/14/12
Mara Reinstein, Us Weekly: MODERATE(cg) "Only maple syrup is sappier than this modern-day fable.... More problematic is the cloying narrative coated in preachy lessons. We get it: Bullying is bad!"(See all of Mara Reinstein's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 121 words, 08/16/12
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: GOOD(cg) "...should have been called 'Diary of a Wimpy Forest Gump.' It's genuinely soft-hearted (you're all but guaranteed to cry) but mush-brained, too."(See all of Owen Gleiberman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 126 words, 08/17/12
Claudia Puig, USA Today: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "There's a calculated quality here that is off-putting and surprising... Mostly, 'The Odd Life of Timothy Green' feels contrived, if undeniably sweet."(See all of Claudia Puig's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 464 words, 08/15/12
Roger Ebert, RogerEbert.com: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...a warm and lovely fantasy... the kind of full-bodied family film being pushed aside in favor of franchises and slam-bang confusion."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 567 words, 08/15/12
James Rocchi, MSN Movies: EXCELLENT(cg) "...a fable of love and life, told with real insight, warm humor and excellent filmmaking.... glows with real health and vitality and true emotion."(See all of James Rocchi's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 662 words, 08/13/12
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NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO/TORONTO (13 Reviews)
A.O. Scott, New York Times: POOR "The ghastliness of this damp and squishy comedy is the byproduct of a confused and earnest sentimentality... wonder that confuses simplicity with simple-mindedness."(See all of A.O. Scott's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 651 words, 08/15/12
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News: WEAK(cg) "Some will find the film's rejection of reality charming; others will consider it manipulative. Regardless, director Peter Hedges is intent on tugging our heartstrings."(See all of Elizabeth Weitzman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 373 words, 08/17/12
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: WEAK "...unabashed fantasy... cloying and contrived... its execution gets increasingly irritating as the film goes on... this entire film pushes too hard to make us love it."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 734 words, 08/15/12
Kyle Smith, New York Post: MODERATE(cg) "If the movie's story is anything but daring, it does takes guts to make a movie so shamelessly emotional as this one. Not that guts are the same as taste."(See all of Kyle Smith's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 589 words, 08/17/12
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...an elegant, honeyed production.... Onstage, you wouldn't question the fablelike nature of things in 'Timothy Green.' On screen, it's harder."(See all of Michael Phillips's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 623 words, 08/15/12
Bilge Ebiri, New York Magazine: WEAK "...this isn't a movie, it's a machine, and it's hard not to be impressed -- perhaps even awed -- by the sheer ruthlessness with which it jerks the tears from your eyes."(See all of Bilge Ebiri's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 743 words, 08/15/12
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...a warm and lovely fantasy... the kind of full-bodied family film being pushed aside in favor of franchises and slam-bang confusion."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 567 words, 08/15/12
Ernest Hardy, Village Voice/LA Weekly: MODERATE "...odd... There's something cynically smart in the way it peddles catharsis without ever facing trauma. It skates the surface (it's all surface, really)..."(See all of Ernest Hardy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 621 words, 08/15/12
Linda Barnard, Toronto Star: WEAK(cg) "...wins the prize for weirdest movie of 2012.... Think 'Pet Sematary' meets 'Pinocchio' with a nod to 'Frosty the Snowman'... suffers from awkward precious overload."(See all of Linda Barnard's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 667 words, 08/15/12
Liam Lacey, Toronto Globe & Mail: MODERATE(cg) "Certainly, there are moments of humour, though Hedges's script never really exploits the absurdity of its premise for its full comic effect."(See all of Liam Lacey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 867 words, 08/15/12
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post: MODERATE(cg) "...goes down easily enough... Still, anyone with an expectation of reality, or an aversion to mawkish melodrama, should probably stay home."(See all of Michael O'Sullivan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 581 words, 08/15/12
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star-Tribune: OUTSTANDING(cg) "Disney's formula flawlessly executed.... It's a peculiar fable that touches universal emotions -- a blooming miracle."(See all of Colin Covert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 473 words, 08/15/12
Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...doesn't quite add up, ultimately, but its heart is in the right place. It is sweet but tries to avoid sentimentality, at least for as long as it can..."(See all of Bill Goodykoontz's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 735 words, 08/15/12
Ty Burr, Boston Globe: MODERATE(cg) "...strained but bearable, and I can see it playing well to older children, who will have plenty of questions afterward, some of which you may even be able to answer."(See all of Ty Burr's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 677 words, 08/15/12
Stephen Whitty, New Jersey Star-Ledger: MODERATE(cg) "Garner is particularly good... But the original story by Ahmet Zappa -- yes, Frank's son -- is sickly sweet. And Peter Hedges' direction does nothing to rescue it."(See all of Stephen Whitty's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 440 words, 08/15/12
Moira Macdonald, Seattle Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...pleasant if occasionally humdrum... has the gentle, naive simplicity of a children's story but seems too deliberately paced and adult-focused for young viewers..."(See all of Moira Macdonald's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 304 words, 08/15/12
Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: WEAK(cg) "Kids are too smart to fall for it, and any grown-up who thinks that 'The Odd Life of Timothy Green' is funny or heartwarming has a head made out of cabbage."(See all of Joe Williams's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 379 words, 08/15/12
Steve Persall, Tampa Bay Times: POOR(cg) "The word 'sappy' comes to mind, constantly... I wanted to make like a tree and leaf.... wants you to think about your place in the world. All I could think of was fertilizer."(See all of Steve Persall's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 472 words, 08/14/12
Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "The film radiates sweet, good-natured vibes, much like Timothy does... The film's earnestness makes up for its high corn factor.... pleasant, feel-good..."(See all of Rene Rodriguez's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 457 words, 08/17/12
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE PRESS (9 Reviews)
Ernest Hardy, Village Voice/LA Weekly: MODERATE "...odd... There's something cynically smart in the way it peddles catharsis without ever facing trauma. It skates the surface (it's all surface, really)..."(See all of Ernest Hardy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 621 words, 08/15/12
Eric Eisenberg, Cinema Blend: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...a nice movie. It has its own brand of quirkiness... plenty of charm... and a quaint little message that ties everything up in a neat bow."(See all of Eric Eisenberg's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 560 words, 08/16/12
Peter Keough, Boston Phoenix: WEAK(cg) "...more twee than odd.... an ominous reminder of the tragic cycles of nature, and the formulaic resolutions of what passes for a modern-day fable."(See all of Peter Keough's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 170 words, 08/16/12
Keith Phipps, AV Club: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "The tone stays kid-friendly from start to finish, but the themes remain aimed squarely at grown-ups.... It wants to warm hearts without ever daring to break them."(See all of Keith Phipps's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 544 words, 08/14/12
Elise Nakhnikian, Slant: POOR(cg) "...airless... Peter Hedges keeps things resolutely somber and moralistic, leaching the premise of nearly all its magic.... as unreal as that eerily perfect little boy."(See all of Elise Nakhnikian's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 646 words, 08/13/12
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher: FAIR(cg) "Clearly intended to call to mind Disney's family fantasies of the 1950s and 60s.... undemanding, inoffensive, and instantly forgettable."(See all of MaryAnn Johanson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 263 words, 04/05/13
HIGHBROW PRESS (2 Reviews)
A.O. Scott, New York Times: POOR "The ghastliness of this damp and squishy comedy is the byproduct of a confused and earnest sentimentality... wonder that confuses simplicity with simple-mindedness."(See all of A.O. Scott's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 651 words, 08/15/12
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: WEAK "...unabashed fantasy... cloying and contrived... its execution gets increasingly irritating as the film goes on... this entire film pushes too hard to make us love it."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 734 words, 08/15/12
MOVIE INDUSTRY (5 Reviews)
Peter Debruge, Daily Variety: VERY GOOD "...sweet.... inspirational... it's encouraging to see a story in which adults, so confident of what they think they want, are given so much room to improve."(See all of Peter Debruge's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 735 words, 08/13/12
John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter: GOOD "A fairy tale about parenting that doesn't completely gloss over the ickier aspects of its premise... delivers a feel-good conclusion to a tale that was born to be bittersweet."(See all of John DeFore's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 439 words, 08/12/12
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: WEAK "...unabashed fantasy... cloying and contrived... its execution gets increasingly irritating as the film goes on... this entire film pushes too hard to make us love it."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 734 words, 08/15/12
Emanuel Levy, Cinema 24/7: MODERATE(cg) "...strains too much to be fully accepted as an inspiring and magical fable.... Hedges confuses sentimentality with genuine charm and whimsy..."(See all of Emanuel Levy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 357 words, 08/14/12
A.O. Scott, New York Times: POOR "The ghastliness of this damp and squishy comedy is the byproduct of a confused and earnest sentimentality... wonder that confuses simplicity with simple-mindedness."(See all of A.O. Scott's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 651 words, 08/15/12
19.4 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
The Odd Life of Timothy Green's reviews are separated by an average 19.4 percentage points. The norm for this measure is 18.4 percentage points. Less than 18.4 indicates more consistent reviews; greater than 18.4 indicates more mixed reviews. In the chart below, each dot represents a review, with the dots at the top more positive than the dots at the bottom. From left to right, the dots represent reviews in big, bigger and biggest publications. Roll over each dot for more detail.
The Odd Life of Timothy Green (40 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:The Odd Life of Timothy Green's reviews cover 79.5% of potential readers (average is 67.9%). Volume:The film's reviews total 20,151 words involume (average is 20,194 words). Length:The film's reviews average 504 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
The Odd Life of Timothy Green Coverage, Volume & Length (40 Reviews, reviews below)
Reviews Broke 32.2 Hours After Release (Norm is 1.2 Release)
The Odd Life of Timothy Green's reviews on average broke 32.2 hours after opening. Norm for this measure is 1.2 hours before. The chart below shows reviews on opening day and the days before and after opening; the left side is earlier and the right side is later. The red bars extending above the horizontal mid-line represent more positive reviews, and the red bars extending below represent more negative reviews. The white space/red bar in the middle is The Odd Life of Timothy Green's opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
The Odd Life of Timothy Green (40 reviews, click on bars for reviews)
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