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Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made (2020) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made (2020) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 99 min · English
Echo score 70
JustWatch #31,435 6
Directed by
Thomas McCarthy
Starring
Craig Robinson, Wallace Shawn, Chloe Coleman, Kyle Bornheimer, Winslow Fegley, Julian Lerner
Budget
$45M

In Portland, Oregon, eleven-year-old Timmy Failure and his enormous, imaginary best friend, Total, run a detective agency called Total Failure Inc. Despite their unconventional methods and frequent missteps, the pair tackle the city's most baffling mysteries. Their cases are filled with humor, unexpected challenges, and a surprising amount of heart as they navigate the ups and downs of friendship and problem-solving.

Adventure Drama Fantasy Comedy Family Cast, crew & box office
On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 The book behind the movie
  7. 7 Movie threads
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made (2020)

Where can you watch Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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4 main characters · contains spoilers

Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made (2020), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Timmy Failure

    played by Winslow Fegley

    Timmy Failure is a determined and imaginative eleven-year-old boy who runs his own detective agency, 'Total Failure Inc.' He is driven by his entrepreneurial spirit and the companionship of his imaginary polar bear, Total. Timmy's character embodies the trials of childhood as he grapples with feelings of confusion about his family, friendships, and his perception of detective work.

    • 🕵️‍♂️ Detective
    • 👦 Youth
    • 💡 Creativity

  • Molly Moskins

    played by Chloe Coleman

    Molly Moskins is a cheerful and supportive friend of Timmy who secretly harbors feelings for him. Her charm and positivity provide a counterbalance to Timmy's more chaotic life. She often encourages him to embrace his creative instincts and serves as a loyal companion through his adventures.

    • 💖 Crush
    • 🤗 Friendship

  • Mr. Jenkins

    played by Craig Robinson

    Mr. Jenkins is the wise and supportive school counselor who helps guide Timmy through his challenges. He provides sage advice, helping Timmy understand the importance of learning from failures. Mr. Jenkins represents the adult figures in Timmy's life who care for his wellbeing and growth.

    • 👨‍🏫 Mentor
    • 🌟 Guidance

  • Corrina Corrina

    played by Ai-Chan Carrier

    Corrina Corrina emerges as Timmy's rival, presenting a cheerful façade but hiding deeper complexities. As tensions grow between her and Timmy, she becomes a key player in the mystery surrounding the theft of the Failure-Mobile. Her character challenges Timmy and forces him to confront his perceptions and biases.

    • 🧐 Rival
    • 😏 Complexity

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:32

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Setting

Where and When Does Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made Take Place?

The setting of Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made (2020): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The movie is set in contemporary times, reflecting modern-day themes of childhood, friendship, and growing up. It navigates the complexities of youth, illustrating the emotional turbulence and creativity of children in today's world.

Location

Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon, is a vibrant city known for its eclectic culture, beautiful parks, and strong sense of community. The city is famous for its artisan coffee, quirky neighborhoods, and the scenic Willamette River that runs through it. With its mix of urban and natural landscapes, Portland serves as the perfect backdrop for Timmy's imaginative adventures.

  • 🌆 City
  • 🌿 Nature

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:32

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3 major themes

Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made (2020) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Adventure

    The theme of adventure is central to Timmy's journey as he embarks on various missions with his friends. Each challenge they face leads to self-discovery, friendships, and the importance of resilience. The thrill of exploration combines with the innocence of childhood, showcasing how adventures shape their understanding of the world.

  • Family

    Family dynamics play a crucial role in the narrative, especially with Timmy's missing father influencing his thoughts and actions. Timmy's interactions with his mother, his friendships, and the discussions around familial struggles highlight the importance of bonds and support systems, even when they are strained.

  • Romance

    The subtle undercurrents of romance among the young characters add depth to the storyline. Timmy's relationship with Molly, filled with innocent crushes and emotional complexities, illustrates the early stages of love and its impact on friendships. These evolving relationships help shape Timmy as he navigates his own feelings.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:32

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Character & theme questions

Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made (2020): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is Timmy Failure set?

The movie is set in Portland, Oregon, a city known for its eclectic culture, quirky neighborhoods, and scenic Willamette River. The setting combines urban elements with natural landscapes, providing a fitting backdrop for Timmy's imaginative detective adventures.

  • portland
  • oregon
  • setting
  • location
  • city
Q2

What time period does the movie take place in?

Timmy Failure is set in contemporary, modern-day times. The story reflects current themes of childhood, friendship, and the emotional challenges children navigate in today's world.

  • time period
  • contemporary
  • modern
  • year
Q3

What are the main themes in Timmy Failure?

The movie explores three core themes: Adventure, which centers on self-discovery and resilience through Timmy's detective missions; Family, focusing on Timmy's relationships with his mother and his missing father; and Romance, depicted through Timmy's evolving relationship with his friend Molly.

  • themes
  • adventure
  • family
  • romance
  • meaning
Q4

Who is Timmy Failure?

Timmy Failure is an eleven-year-old boy who runs his own detective agency called Total Failure Inc. Despite frequent missteps, he approaches cases with determination and creativity, often navigating the challenges of childhood including family struggles and friendships.

  • timmy failure
  • protagonist
  • detective
  • main character
Q5

Who is Total in Timmy Failure?

Total is Timmy's enormous, imaginary best friend who happens to be a polar bear. He is a central part of Timmy's detective work, serving as his partner in Total Failure Inc. and representing the whimsical, imaginative world Timmy creates.

  • total
  • imaginary friend
  • polar bear
  • partner
Q6

Who is Molly Moskins in the movie?

Molly Moskins is Timmy's cheerful and supportive friend who secretly has romantic feelings for him. She encourages Timmy's creative instincts and provides emotional support throughout his detective adventures.

  • molly moskins
  • friend
  • romance
  • crush
Q7

Who is Mr. Jenkins in Timmy Failure?

Mr. Jenkins is Timmy's school counselor who provides wisdom and guidance throughout the story. He helps Timmy understand the importance of learning from failures and represents the supportive adult figures in Timmy's life.

  • mr jenkins
  • counselor
  • school
  • advisor
Q8

Who is Corrina Corrina?

Corrina Corrina is Timmy's rival in the movie, presenting a cheerful personality but harboring deeper complexities. She becomes involved in the mystery of the stolen Failure-Mobile and challenges Timmy's perceptions and assumptions.

  • corrina corrina
  • rival
  • antagonist
  • mystery
Q9

What is the tone of Timmy Failure?

The movie has a whimsical, lighthearted tone driven by Timmy's vivid imagination and his partnership with imaginary polar bear Total. Despite dealing with themes like paternal absence and financial instability, these heavier topics are presented through a child's optimistic perspective, keeping the overall feel hopeful and playful.

  • tone
  • whimsical
  • style
  • mood
  • humor
Q10

Does Timmy Failure address family issues?

Yes, family dynamics are a significant theme, particularly Timmy's missing father who influences his thoughts and actions throughout the story. The movie explores how Timmy copes with this absence while navigating his relationships with his mother and friends.

  • father
  • family
  • absence
  • parent
  • mom
Q11

What is the Failure-Mobile in Timmy Failure?

The Failure-Mobile is Timmy's vehicle for his detective agency, which becomes central to a key mystery in the movie when it is stolen. This plot element drives conflict with his rival Corrina Corrina and tests Timmy's problem-solving abilities.

  • failure-mobile
  • car
  • mystery
  • stolen
Q12

What genre is Timmy Failure?

Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made is a Family-friendly Adventure Comedy with elements of Drama and Fantasy. It is designed for younger audiences while also appealing to adults through its whimsical storytelling and heartwarming themes about childhood and friendship.

  • genre
  • family
  • comedy
  • adventure
  • fantasy

Movie threads

More Movies Like Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Whimsical Childhood Imagination Adventures like Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made

Stories where a child's rich imagination transforms their everyday world into an epic quest. If you liked the imaginative world of 'Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made', discover other movies with quirky, imaginative child heroes. These films capture the magic of seeing the world through a kid's eyes, filled with wonder, adventure, and gentle humor, perfect for family viewing.

  • whimsical
  • imaginative
  • childlike
  • heartfelt
  • quirky
  • playful
  • Tone: whimsical, heartfelt, playful
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern revolves around a child protagonist who perceives their reality through a lens of elaborate fantasy. An imaginary friend, a secret mission, or a grand adventure serves as a coping mechanism or a tool for problem-solving, blending real-world emotional stakes with whimsical, low-stakes fun.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here due to their shared whimsical tone, low intensity, and focus on the power of a child's imagination. They balance lighthearted, humorous adventures with subtle, heartfelt themes of family, friendship, and personal growth, creating a uniquely charming and optimistic viewing experience.

Harold and the Purple Crayon movie poster

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1959
Peter in Magicland movie poster

Peter in Magicland

1990
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Four Kids and It

2020
Toopy and Binoo The Movie movie poster

Toopy and Binoo The Movie

2023
Here Comes Peter Cottontail: The Movie movie poster

Here Comes Peter Cottontail: The Movie

2005
Fuzzbucket movie poster

Fuzzbucket

1986
Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie movie poster

Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie

2025
Back to the Secret Garden movie poster

Back to the Secret Garden

2000

Quirky Amateur Detective Stories like Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made

Comedic and heartfelt tales of unconventional investigators solving local mysteries. Fans of the detective antics in 'Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made' will enjoy these other films about unconventional sleuths. These movies blend mystery, comedy, and heart, featuring protagonists whose unique methods and determination are more important than solving the case perfectly.

  • quirky
  • lighthearted
  • investigative
  • comedic
  • eccentric
  • charming
  • Tone: whimsical, lighthearted, comedic
  • Pacing: steady, episodic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows an unlikely or self-appointed detective as they tackle a mystery that is personal to their community. The plot is less about complex crime-solving and more about the humorous, character-driven journey, where the process of investigation leads to personal discoveries and strengthened relationships.

Why they belong together: These films share a specific mix of a detective plot structure with a steady, comedic pace and a light emotional weight. The central similarity is the focus on an endearingly flawed investigator whose unconventional approach drives a story that is more about whimsy and heart than darkness or tension.

Ask a Policeman movie poster

Ask a Policeman

1939
Who's Harry Crumb? movie poster

Who's Harry Crumb?

1989
Mister 880 movie poster

Mister 880

1950
Murder She Purred: A Mrs. Murphy Mystery movie poster

Murder She Purred: A Mrs. Murphy Mystery

1998
The Amateurs movie poster

The Amateurs

2007
Holmes & Watson movie poster

Holmes & Watson

2018
They All Laughed movie poster

They All Laughed

1981
Make Mine Mink movie poster

Make Mine Mink

1960

Every angle

Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made (2020) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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