Martian Child
starring: John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Bobby Coleman, Sophie Okonedo, Joan Cusack
directed by: Menno Meyjes
directed by: Menno Meyjes
List Price: $28.98
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Product Description:
A LONELY SCIENCE-FICTION WRITER ADOPTS A BOY WHO CLAIMS TO BE FROM MARS. WITH THE HELP OF HIS QUIRKY FRIEND & HIS SISTER, THIS NEW FATHER DISCOVERS THAT BEING A PARENT MEANS ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.
Amazon.com:
The skeptical, melancholy eyes of John Cusack anchor Martian Child, a sweet but not cloying story of a widowed man who adopts a misfit kid who believes he's from another planet. David Gordon (Cusack) is a successful science-fiction author--which is perhaps what leads a children's counselor (Sophie Okonedo, Dirty Pretty Things) to pair him with a would-be extra-terrestrial named Dennis (Bobby Coleman). Reluctantly at first, David tries to communicate with Dennis by fostering his belief--but as they grow attached to each other, the administrators of the organization that put them together sees this playing along as a failure to be a proper parent and threatens to take Dennis away. The first two-thirds or so of Martian Child are marvelous; though the scenario could be saccharine, the script and performances are full of details and complexities that make it feel genuine and affecting. The last third, unfortunately, seems to be the result of studio meddling, for the themes and emotions become awkwardly overstated. But what will stay with you are the moments of refreshing honesty and tender trust from the earlier part of the movie; the ending, clumsy and tone-deaf though it is, doesn't wipe away the delicate earlier interplay of David and Dennis. Also featuring Oliver Platt (Funny Bones), Amanda Peet (Igby Goes Down), and Anjelica Huston (Prizzi's Honor). --Bret Fetzer
A LONELY SCIENCE-FICTION WRITER ADOPTS A BOY WHO CLAIMS TO BE FROM MARS. WITH THE HELP OF HIS QUIRKY FRIEND & HIS SISTER, THIS NEW FATHER DISCOVERS THAT BEING A PARENT MEANS ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.
Amazon.com:
The skeptical, melancholy eyes of John Cusack anchor Martian Child, a sweet but not cloying story of a widowed man who adopts a misfit kid who believes he's from another planet. David Gordon (Cusack) is a successful science-fiction author--which is perhaps what leads a children's counselor (Sophie Okonedo, Dirty Pretty Things) to pair him with a would-be extra-terrestrial named Dennis (Bobby Coleman). Reluctantly at first, David tries to communicate with Dennis by fostering his belief--but as they grow attached to each other, the administrators of the organization that put them together sees this playing along as a failure to be a proper parent and threatens to take Dennis away. The first two-thirds or so of Martian Child are marvelous; though the scenario could be saccharine, the script and performances are full of details and complexities that make it feel genuine and affecting. The last third, unfortunately, seems to be the result of studio meddling, for the themes and emotions become awkwardly overstated. But what will stay with you are the moments of refreshing honesty and tender trust from the earlier part of the movie; the ending, clumsy and tone-deaf though it is, doesn't wipe away the delicate earlier interplay of David and Dennis. Also featuring Oliver Platt (Funny Bones), Amanda Peet (Igby Goes Down), and Anjelica Huston (Prizzi's Honor). --Bret Fetzer
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Good movie
It is a good movie of a father's love. But is not any father, is an adoptive father's love. Great movie.
Rating: 
- Very enjoyable!
This movie was recommended to me several months ago but, not knowing anything about the film, I never watched it until I found it for a few bucks locally. My loss!
As someone who watches wholesome movies, I can say that this film was quite refreshing. Of course, just being a wholesome movie alone isn't going to make it a five star film for me, but this movie has big names and a great story to help make this a tremendous production.
Ultimately, this is the story about an ... Read More
Rating: - Adoption movie tops
This is a very good movie concerning adoption.
John Cusack and his sister Joan are very good in this movie, as is Amanda Peet. It's good to see Joan Cusack do something more than commericials. The real star in this quirky movie is Bobby Coleman. This child actor will do well in subsequent movies - he's a scene stealer.
This movie is one to see if you are thinking about adopting "special needs" children - there are a lot of "special needs" children languishing in foster care waiting for ... Read More
Rating: 
- Sickly sweet
Sticky sweet story about a widower who adopts a kid that no one wants (and who thinks he's from Mars). If this wasn't John Cusack, I wouldn't have made it through the first 15 minutes without throwing up. By-the-book storytelling, cliches abounding, and sappy, happy ending. Cuscack is so watchable though that he can make even this dreck seem okay. This was the perfect airplane movie - it passed the time, but I'm glad I didn't watch it at home when I could be doing something else.
Rating: - Have some tissues handy
A very touching story about a widowed man who adopts a troubled boy.John Cusack gives a top notch performance and the young actor who plays the boy does an excellent job as well.I very much enjoyed the commentary that comes with the DVD.It gives you more insight into the movie and story.Both men and women will enjoy this movie.
- Good movieIt is a good movie of a father's love. But is not any father, is an adoptive father's love. Great movie.
- Very enjoyable!This movie was recommended to me several months ago but, not knowing anything about the film, I never watched it until I found it for a few bucks locally. My loss!
As someone who watches wholesome movies, I can say that this film was quite refreshing. Of course, just being a wholesome movie alone isn't going to make it a five star film for me, but this movie has big names and a great story to help make this a tremendous production.
Ultimately, this is the story about an ... Read More
- Adoption movie topsThis is a very good movie concerning adoption.
John Cusack and his sister Joan are very good in this movie, as is Amanda Peet. It's good to see Joan Cusack do something more than commericials. The real star in this quirky movie is Bobby Coleman. This child actor will do well in subsequent movies - he's a scene stealer.
This movie is one to see if you are thinking about adopting "special needs" children - there are a lot of "special needs" children languishing in foster care waiting for ... Read More
- Sickly sweetSticky sweet story about a widower who adopts a kid that no one wants (and who thinks he's from Mars). If this wasn't John Cusack, I wouldn't have made it through the first 15 minutes without throwing up. By-the-book storytelling, cliches abounding, and sappy, happy ending. Cuscack is so watchable though that he can make even this dreck seem okay. This was the perfect airplane movie - it passed the time, but I'm glad I didn't watch it at home when I could be doing something else.
- Have some tissues handyA very touching story about a widowed man who adopts a troubled boy.John Cusack gives a top notch performance and the young actor who plays the boy does an excellent job as well.I very much enjoyed the commentary that comes with the DVD.It gives you more insight into the movie and story.Both men and women will enjoy this movie.
