Becoming Redwood (2012) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Radio news about Nicklaus firing his caddy

A radio news report about Jack Nicklaus firing his caddy sets the opening tone and frames the film's appetite for celebrity drama. The moment mirrors Ethan's uncertain journey, hinting that public personas mask private chaos. The scene introduces a world where sports headlines and personal upheaval collide.

Ethan crosses the Canadian border with Redwood during the Vietnam War

During the Vietnam War, Ethan drives a VW microbus across the Canadian border with his young son Redwood Forest. Jade can't manage the crossing, so he takes the risk and heads north with the boy. The escape hints at deeper family and legal troubles brewing below the surface.

When

Vietnam War era

Where

Canada-US border

Redwood's age-11 Masters fantasy

At 11 years old, Redwood imagines himself tied with Nicklaus in the 1975 Masters and on the cusp of victory. He even enlists Nicklaus' former caddy Ruben in his daydreams, blurring the line between fantasy and reality. His father doesn't let him watch TV alone, so his nights are spent sneaking a look at the golf world he worships.

When

Age 11; 1975 Masters

Where

Redwood's home

Redwood's nightly golf fantasies with commentators

Redwood's fantasies grow to include the golf commentators and the caddy as if they were part of his nightly world. The dreams provide solace and a sense of control amid his uncertain life. The boundary between his imagination and real life becomes increasingly porous.

When

Night

Where

Redwood's home

Carter era policy and Ethan's legal troubles

President Carter's policy to allow refugees from Canada back into the United States collides with Ethan's reality, where he faces drug-related offenses. He continues growing marijuana and selling it to Jonno, compounding his precarious legal position. Redwood remains unaware of the full truth about his mother.

When

Carter administration era

Where

United States / Canada

Redwood unaware of his mother's past

Redwood does not know the truth about his mother, a secret that colors his sense of family and safety. The absence of this knowledge shapes his early expectations of love and loyalty. The tension between revelation and protection drives the emotional thread of the story.

Where

Various

Redwood joins his mother in rural California

Circumstances force Redwood to reunite with his mother in rural California, where she has started anew with Arnold and two older sons, Josh and Todd, along with the quirky Earl in the basement. The household is chaotic but intimate, reflecting a collage of male models and competing loyalties. Redwood's vegetarianism sets him apart in a hunting-tinged family culture.

When

Late 1970s / early 1980s

Where

Rural California

Arnold's disability and his drive to shape his sons

Arnold wanted to serve in Vietnam but avoided fighting due to a disability, and now he pushes his sons to become men. He is a bully at times, yet he also shows affection in his own way. His rigid expectations create friction with Redwood's sensibilities and vegetarian lifestyle.

When

Late 1970s / early 1980s

Where

Home

Family tensions: hunting vs vegetarianism

The family dynamic pits Redwood's vegetarian beliefs against Arnold's hunting culture, highlighting the clash between personal ethics and learned masculinity. Todd is portrayed as the less sturdy son, while Josh mirrors his father's tougher side. The tension tests how love is expressed within a demanding household.

When

Late 1970s / early 1980s

Where

California home

The question of whether Redwood can beat Nicklaus

The film keeps circling the possibility that Redwood could beat Nicklaus and claim the green jacket, a dream that sustains his swagger and ambition. The question anchors his actions as he navigates real life and fantasy. It also reflects his yearning for recognition and a sense of triumph.

When

1975 Masters (fantasy)

Where

Augusta Masters

Search for a normal life

Beyond the golf daydreams, both Ethan and Redwood confront whether they can salvage a normal life together. Their longing for stability contrasts with their complicated history and the unpredictability of their circumstances. The movie threads this question throughout their journey.

When

Ending / later part

Conclusion: love, memory, and resilience

The story closes on the tangled web of family bonds, where love persists despite baggage and upheaval. Redwood's dreams, Ethan's choices, and the mother’s return all collide as the characters seek a future they can call their own. The film leaves the audience weighing what it means to be a family.

When

Ending