The Odd Life of Timothy Green Interview With Odeya Rush

Disney’s The Odd Life of Timothy Green (Rated PG) is the mystical story about Cindy (Jennifer Garner) and Jim (Joel Edgerton) Green who find out that they can’t have children. After a night of acceptance and healing the Greens lives are changed forever when Timothy (CJ Adams) “grows” from  their dream box and out of their garden. The Greens go on a life-changing journey and try to cover up Timothy’s secret. The Greens quickly realize that it’s not easy being Green! Timothy befriends Joni along the way. She’s mysterious, loyal and discovers Timothy’s secret. The pair are inseparable and have wonderful chemistry. This movie really is a gem. You’ll laugh, cry, and will be inspired. My five-year-old will tell you that it’s her favorite movie.

I had the opportunity to talk with 15-year-old Odeya Rush and ask her a few questions. My daughter joined me and she was star struck when she saw “Joni”.  Odeya is beautiful, sweet and like us, loves Disney!

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That’s IT Mommy: Tell us about your character Joni.

Odeyah Rush: I play Joni Jerome, Timothy’s best friend and maybe love interest if you see it that way. We’re always there for each other! I’m very protective of him and I know him more than anyone.

TIM: Do you identify with Joni?

OR: I think so. I understand her. The way Joni treats and protects Timothy is how I feel about my brothers.

TIM: What is your method to get into character?

OR: I try to see the character in myself. I try to see what qualities and what traits that I see in myself. Also, my personality. And if it’s not “me”, I insert “someone else” that I know into my work to try to make it authentic and real.

TIM: What was it like costarring with Jennifer Garner?

OR: Jenn is one of the sweetest people! She’s so nice, genuine and I love her. I really do!  We spent a lot of time together.

TIM: What’s it like being in a Disney film?

OR: I don’t think it can get any better than this. It’s Peter Hedges, it’s Disney! I love Disney. I love all the Disney films and it’s a dream for me. It’s a perfect package.

TIM: You moved here from Israel when you were nine. What was the transition like for you?

OR: I moved to Alabama first. It’s completely a different world there. Alabama is not like L.A. or NY. The people were way too nice there especially compared to Israel. Living in Alabama was like a vacation for me. Things were much slower moving but I really liked it.

My dad was here for three years. Then I moved and joined him and my family arrived a year after that.  Don’t take this the wrong way (laughs) because my dad and I felt like husband and wife. Because we both took care of the house. I learned a lot about taking care of the house. I was a little mom.

TIM: How does your family feel about your success?

OR: They are so excited and happy. They are filled with pride.

TIM: When did you know you wanted to be an actress?

OR: I think always knew. When I was four years old boy twins were born into our family and then a year later another set of boy twins arrived! We had four babies at home! They turned one and two and they began to crawl and talk. Part of helping my mom was I had to keep them busy. So, to keep them occupied I would set them on the steps, two on one step, two on the step above it and I would perform in front of them. Whatever the preschool teacher would teach at school I would come home and do that as my act. Or things I saw in movies and I would do my own things. As we got older we would put on plays together and we still put on plays.

TIM: What advice do you have for young aspiring actors:

OR: Don’t let anyone or anything discourage you. This is the kind of business for people who are willing to devote their entire life to it.

TIM: Do your friends treat you differently now?

OR: I have more friends now! People from my hometown are approaching me more now then before. I have connected with people that I haven’t talked to in along time.

TIM: What’s next for you?

OR: I’m doing a film called Mary Mother of Christ where I will be playing Mary. It’s with Ben Kingsley and Peter O”Toole and Juliet Armon.  It’s a prequel to Passion of the Christ.

My daughter had some questions of her own!

Who is your favorite Disney princess?

OR: Mulan. She’s courageous and inspiring. She’s the heroine of her own story. She’s not waiting for someone else to save her. I admire Mulan.

What’s your favorite movie?

OR: Mary Poppins and The Wizard of Oz.

What’s your favorite food.

OR: Sushi

What’s your favorite color?

OR: Today I’m feeling green. Today is a green day!

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The Odd Life of Timothy Green is directed by Peter Hedges and is in theaters August 15th. Make sure to wear your green and take the family to see it along with a box of tissues. I felt this film was illuminated by the solid acting, unique storyline and of course Disney magic! There are scenes and messages in the movie that we can all relate to (Hello crazy sports parents!) and the ending of the movie was heart-string tuggingly beautiful!

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* We did not receive monetary compensation for this post. We were invited by Disney’s PR to interview Odeyah and we also attended a screening of the movie  free of charge to facilitate this post. The review is in our own words and is our opinion. Your results and opinions may differ.