Users Picks DVD Releases Release Schedule Reviews Smartcine Picks Classics Home MOVIE REVIEW: MARTIAN CHILD 10/31/07 This is the story of star-crossed souls that were meant to be together. I’m not talking about a couple, I’m talking about a man who needed a boy like this to be his son and a boy who needed a man like this to be his father. This unusual child, Dennis (Bobby Coleman), who claims to be from Mars has encountered an unusual parent, David (John Cusack), that is just right for him. This touching tale will reel you in to the lives of David and Dennis as they struggle to determine their purpose in the other’s life. At times the movie is dramatic, fun, bizarre, and tear-generating. The acting is its specialty. Excellent performances from the whole cast give this movie a stronger edge, with extra recognition going to John, Joan, and Bobby. I’m not sure how well this will take with the younger moviegoers, but for those of you who are grandparents, or have been parents for a while, or are recent parents, or have plans of becoming a parent at any point in time, this movie is worth it. So why did the forces of the universe bring these two together? The initial attraction is due to what they have in common. David had a childhood that was very similar to Dennis’. As a child, he was picked on and alienated to the point that he would escape to his fantasy world full of fictitious characters and monsters as if he were at a different planet. He was so good with his imagination that he became a very successful science fiction author. His recently departed wife had brought up the idea of adopting a child. The idea was discarded with her passing until now. David actually entertains the thought of fulfilling his late wife’s wishes. His sister Liz (Joan Cusack), being a parent herself and the voice of practicality, tries to discourage David knowing full well the challenge of taking on the responsibility of raising a child, especially alone. When it comes to Dennis, however, the voice of practicality is ignored. “I don't want to bring another kid into this world. But how do you argue against loving one that's already here?” David’s life would never be the same again. Throughout this whole ordeal the question remains, is Dennis really from Mars? David: Why did they send you here? You know, the Martians? Dennis: To join a family and to learn human beingness. Bobby’s role as Dennis is the most impressive young male performance I’ve seen since Haley Joel Osment in Sixth Sense (or at least that I can remember). I need to specify male because there are two very talented young female actresses that take the cake, Dakota Fanning and Abigail Breslin. These kids are better than quite a few adults. Where do they come from? In my review of Heartbreak Kid, I mentioned how special it was to watch Ben Stiller and his father Jerry play father and son in the movie. Well, the Cusacks playing siblings in this picture totally topped that. It was more dramatic and natural. At moments it was so realistic that it seemed like they weren’t even acting. Overall the characters are pretty standard with the exception of Dennis of course. This movie parallels K-Pax in many ways but K-Pax focuses more on the Mars issue where this film focuses more on the father/son relationship. This does not diminish the Dennis character however, as he still manages to put doubt in your mind. Dennis also manages to bring new life to what would be a typical storyline. The script also helped keep the movie interesting without turning it into a science fiction story. Director Menno Meyjes has had success as a writer for such projects as The Color Purple, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and The Siege. He is transferring his success to direction. With this project he tackles a few major themes in one swoop: acceptance vs. alienation, single parenting, adoption, and individuality. Nowadays parenting is tough. Single parenting is even tougher. Single parenting a “special” child is the toughest but it doesn’t mean that it can’t be done. The individuality and acceptance themes are summarized by this question given in the movie: “Why can’t you just be what we want you to be?” Pressures from society have helped create this kind of question.   Review By Cine Marcos  cinemarcos@smartcine.com MORE MOVIE REVIEWS >>>   People Movie Review Martian Child   Flora 100 The world needs more films like this. I am nearing 60 and took two 10-year-old girls to see the film; it was their choice. All of us enjoyed it. I attended to their body language during the film. They were engrossed. Of course, with the Cusacks and a splended cast, the acting was fantastic. The directing and so on were wonderful, too. But, the story line was more compelling than I could have imagined. Although on one level deeply philosophical, it is also something even young people can enjoy. This film made me proud of our cinematic industry. Often, overseas, I am ashamed of the violence portrayed in our movies. This one is a winner from start to finish. It takes time to develop characters, something often lacking in our film cuture. If you see one film this year, this one would be a good investment of your time. Enjoy!! Steve 100 Most beautiful movie this year. so touching just bring kleenexs my wife and i were bawlin Rehman Khilji 60 When the movie started it took me in a different direction, guess that was my exictment for the end. Perhaps i was expecting too much. To rate it, well just what the doctor ordered. Movie 60 My wife enjoyed it much much more then i did. Good movie too watch. Submit Your Movie Review  Name: Movie:   Rating: None 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Review:   Director: Menno Meyjes Writer:  Seth Bass                 David Gerrold Genre:  Drama Romance Duration:  1hr 46mins Staring:   John Cusack                  Amanda Peet                  Oliver Platt                  Sophie Okonedo                  Bobby Coleman                  Joan Cusack Producer: Ed Elbert                     David Kirschner                     Corey Sienega Distributor: NEW LINE CINEMA    Rating:  PG for thematic elements and mild                language Release Date:  November 2, 2007 OFFICIAL WEBSITE View trailer SOUNDTRACK   CRITICS REVIEWS & SCORES VARIETY >> 75 ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY >> 55 NEWSDAY >> 63 TV GUIDE >> 50   Home | DVD | Advertising |  Press Kits submissions | Publishing All movie titles, pictures, etc... are registered trademarks and/or copyrights of their respective holders Copyright ©2007 The Entertainment Report Group