The Odd Life of Timothy Green - C+

Rated PG, 110 minutes

Sweet "Timothy Green" is too predictable, insincere

Jennifer Garner, CJ Adams and Joel Edgerton

The original new fantasy drama "The Odd Life of Timothy Green" isn't all that odd. Actually, it's quite conventional when you think about it, with a bland, saccharine coating that isn't surprising coming from Disney after a summer filled with "The Avengers." It's a film with a nice idea and a weak story that isn't quite fleshed out; it works fine in a handful of singular, touching moments that somehow ring false in the big picture. The Greens, Jim (Joel Edgerton) and Cindy (Jennifer Garner) are unable to conceive, so they place their wish list for their child in a box and bury it in the backyard. That evening a 10-year old boy named Timothy (CJ Adams) arrives in their house, covered in mud from the backyard and claims them as his parents. They soon realize the boy is far more special than they ever imagined. Peter Hedges ("Dan in Real Life") directs and pens the screenplay of "The Odd Life of Timothy Green" based on a story from Ahmet Zappa, son of punk rocker Frank Zappa. You'd think that alone would make it intriguing and its initial chapters are fun, yet it becomes too predictably sweet and contrived by the last act. "Timothy Green" also relies heavy on the leads telling the story in flashback, which seems too much like an annoying trick to cover up a wobbly story, which is the case here. In its favor, the film is well-acted and cast, with newcomer Adams the highlight as the cherub-faced young child that's too good to be true. And though Edgerton and Garner are solid as the parents, there are a few character actors who are more memorable in brief roles: M. Emmet Walsh as a blustery uncle, David Morse as the distant grandad and especially Oscar-winner Dianne Weist as an intimidating museum owner. The messages of accepting our differences, getting along and being a great parent are all well-placed but as Timothy's leaves begin to fall off then you'll feel a little manipulated as your tears start to fall too. "The Odd Life of Timothy Green" isn't a bad film, but I had hoped for something unconventional, different, yes even odd, but strange enough, it just doesn't feel right. It brings to life such a charming boy and then fails to do anything interesting with him.