A predictable, schmaltzy tale of a science-fiction writer who suitably adopts a child that thinks he’s from Mars. The film has its moments due to the reliable thesping of John Cusack but the pic is a mostly bland affair that might work better for kids than adults.
Sentimental almost to the point of cloying, Menno Meyjes directs from a Seth E. Bass and Jonathan Tolins script based on sci-fi author David Gerrold’s semi-autobiographical short novel. Taking 10 years to get to the screen with a variety of scripts, one has to look at the source material and wonder what all the fuss was about?
David Gordon is a successful sci-fi author who still quietly cries over the death of his wife almost two years later. At some point before her death, she wanted to adopt a child and David decides he might carry on this idea when he gets a call from a foster home provider Sophie (Sophie Okonedo) suggesting she might have just the child for him.
The orphan in question is Dennis (Bobby Coleman), a strange boy who spends his days in a cardboard box fearing exposure to the sun since he believes he’s from Mars. Wow, a boy who thinks he’s from Mars and a Sci-fi author. Kismet, right? David slowly wins Dennis over by offering up an array of sunglasses and sunblock and before you can say Little Orphan Annie, Dennis has temporarily moved in with David.
His pal Harlee (Amanda Peet) offers up support but his sister Liz (Joan Cusack), a soccer mom of two, doesn’t quite think David is ready to be a single parent, particularly of a child who steals anything he can get his hands on for his Martian studies .Yet David insists he can help this child as he too was once a outcast and daydreamer who sought refuge in the stars.
The film follows some pretty standard outlines with pal Harlee inevitably ending up as a love interest and the requisite “evil” orphanage and school boards who threaten to take Dennis away if David can’t socialize the child and become a true parent instead of a buddy vying for his friendship by taking part in his fantasies.
The age-old question of conform to be normal or embrace your individuality? Is laid on pretty thick throughout and there’s really not any question in the fate of any of the characters in this film down to David’s old Golden Retriever who does what old dogs must do in scripts like these.
And if you don’t know by know that there will be a climatic tearful reunion of a parent and a child who runs away and finds himself in danger (but not really) on a ledge somewhere high then who am I to spoil it for you?
The novella did in fact win awards, but there wasn’t a lot there to fill out a full-length motion picture so the audience gets exposed to more than a few scenes of heavy-handed “be yourself” heartstring-tuggers where eccentric behavior gets embraced ad nauseum and filler characters both approving and disapproving discuss said eccentrics ad nauseum. It all became a bit too much for a hardened movie cynic…I mean movie critic like myself.
John Cusack is always dependable though and little Bobby Coleman does do a good job with an odd role that is possibly meant to keep the audience guessing rather he is actually from Mars or not and convinces to a certain point. It’s pretty much a two-man show but sis Joan Cusack provides a dollop of thankless comedy as does Oliver Platt who occupies the completely superfluous role of David’s agent.
The film is presented in 1.85:1 widescreen with special features consisting of an audio commentary from producers David Kirschner and Corey Sienega and writers Seth E. Bass and Jonathan Tolins, Deleted Scenes, ‘Handle With Care: Working with the Martian Child’ featurette and ‘The Real Martian Child’ featurette which looks at author David Gerrold’s real-life experience of adopting a strange kid.
Possibly an okay family film or even recommended directly for the tween set; for filmgoers looking for freshness or nuance, it’s a pretty safe bet to keep moving. If all you want in a pic is bland cuddliness, well, here ya go.
Martian Child is now available at Amazon . It is available for pre-order at AmazonUK for an April 14th release. Visit the DVD database for more information.
Your Talkback on this Story