“Martian Child” (New Line Cinema)
Love Is Universal
John Cusack stars in a sweet movie titled “Martian Child.” It is loosely based on a true story and will appeal to all audiences who respond to true affection between a man and a child. The story gets a little too sweet at times but overall it is a film the entire family can enjoy.
John Cusack plays a man named David. He is a widower and he and his wife had planned to adopt a child. Now after her death David is ambiguous as to whether or not he should do it on his own. He is however drawn to a little boy named Dennis (Bobby Coleman) who spends most of his days in a cardboard box.
Sophie (Sophie Okonedo), the head of the child care center where Dennis lives explains that Dennis thinks he is a Martian. Therefore he has to avoid the sun’s rays. He also from time to time speaks a Martian language. Still David is intrigued enough to take Dennis home to live with him. The head of the committee that places children is a man named Lefkowitz (Richard Schiff). He has doubts that this situation is going to work and he gives David his opinion in no uncertain terms.
David gets help with Dennis from his sister Liz (Joan Cusack – John’s real life sister) and a friend of his wife’s named Harlee (Amanda Peet). But it is David alone who must break through Dennis’ shell and make the little boy secure enough in his surroundings to put aside his Martian fantasy.
Cusack is very good in the role of David, and Peet is an absolute delight as Harlee. They also have good chemistry together as a couple. Joan Cusack is quirky and calming as David’s sister. Still it is Bobby Coleman’s show from beginning to end. If you don’t buy the eccentricities of the young boy then you don’t buy anything in the movie.
The film is rated PG for mild adult situations.
“Martian Child” is not a great film but it is a surprisingly entertaining one. It doesn’t have a lot of depth but that which is shown is acceptable in telling this story of what love can do. Love can heal a lot of things, in this case it can even turn a Martian into a human being.
I scored “Martian Child” and out of this world 5 out of 10.
