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Martian Child | 
 enlarge | Director: Menno Meyjes
Actors: John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Bobby Coleman, Sophie Okonedo, Joan Cusack
Studio: New Line Cinema
Category: DVD
List Price: $28.98
Buy Used: $3.93
You Save: $25.05 (86%)
New (54) Used (39) Collectible (1) from $3.93
Rating:  48 reviews
Sales Rank: 2032
Format: Ac-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 107
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.7
MPN: N10683
UPC: 794043106835
EAN: 0794043106835
ASIN: B00005JPT0
Theatrical Release Date: November 2, 2007
Release Date: February 12, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
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| Editorial Reviews:
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
Product Description
After decades of playing single men in romantic comedies from the classic SAY ANYTHING to the critical favorite HIGH FIDELITY the year 2007 marks a change for John Cusack. With roles as fathers in 1408 GRACE IS GONE and MARTIAN CHILD the beloved actor grows up and deserves some of the highest praise of his career. In MARTIAN CHILD David Gordon (Cusack) is a successful science fiction author plagued by both the death of his wife and writer s block. When a group home worker (Sophie Okonedo) tries to pair him with a young boy named Dennis (Bobby Coleman) David initially resists. But once David spends time with Dennis he realizes how special the boy is. The outsider (and sci-fi fan) in David thinks he might just understand Dennis best since the child believes that he s from Mars and he ll return there soon. David and Dennis struggle to create the most unconventional of families as Dennis strives to learn more about being human.MARTIAN CHILD is a moving drama that works because of the genuine performances of everyone involved but it rides on both the experienced shoulders of Cusack and those of his young costar Coleman. Both excel at communicating their characters isolation and eventual connection but it s Coleman s work in his first major role that is such a pleasant surprise. Supporting turns from Cusack s sister Joan (who plays his sister in the film) and Amanda Peet add emotional depth to the sweet story. MARTIAN CHILD is based on the autobiographical novel by David Gerrold who is most famous for writing the STAR TREK fan favorite "The Trouble with Tribbles."Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY/FAMILY GATHERINGS UPC: 794043106835 Manufacturer No: N10683
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| Customer Reviews: Read 43 more reviews...
Heart-warming story September 6, 2008
John Cusack plays a man who has been recently widowed but who resolves to follow through on a plan he and his wife had made to adopt a child. He is introduced to Dennis, a little boy who spends his time inside a box, claiming that he is from Mars and is afraid of the sun. Cusack decides to take a chance and he brings Dennis home, lovingly entering his world and gently urging him to join "the rest of us". This is a touching movie and the growing relationship between Cusack and Dennis (Bobby Coleman) is delightful to see. The movie avoids a lot of possible pitfalls and succeeds in demonstrating that people can put up some unusual walls to avoid suffering further hurt.
 Martian Child August 31, 2008
I actually spent a great deal of this movie trying to hate it due to its fair amount of flaws. It's cutesy, predictive mush that likes to jerk hard on the heartstrings and any sensible moviegoer would roll his eyes and beat his head against the seat before him. But I guess I'm a sucker for the weird kid no one understands. If nothing else, this film had good intentions, and those intentions should count for something.
The movie begins with David, a grieving widower (who is not gay despite the movie's origins, but hey) who decides, for some reason involving the wishes of his late wife, to adopt a kid. But not just any kid--the autistic, traumatized Dennis who hides in a box. Crying puppy sad enough for you? But never fear--David is a offbeat sci-fi writer with a quirky friend-who-is-a-girl and a sensible sister to make everything all better. We get to watch David and Dennis struggle to bond and face the real world, using all sorts of great inspirational lines. Yay for all those writers, and another roll of eyes for having the character of the editor weep fondly over the story-of-the-story.
The filming and the score are only average, and frankly so was the storytelling. And yes, I did check my watch once or twice during the many slower parts.
But I suppose it was a slow story, and I did appreciate the whimsical bits of comedy. Even if it were so-so writing, it was a cast of actors that can certainly hold their own, especially the little boy.
And I was crying at the end. So sue me.
 "Isn't Being Human Unique Enough?" August 11, 2008
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
Those of you looking for a good science fiction film should look elsewhere. Not that THE MARTIAN CHILD isn't a good film, it's just not science fiction.
Based on the true life story of science fiction author David Gerrold's experience adopting a challenging child who believes he's from Mars, this story is a family drama that tugs at heart-strings and gives us a fine performance by child actor Bobby Coleman.
John Cusack (Grace Is Gone) pulls in an equally fine performance as David Gerrold, the sci-fi author who eventually adopts Dennis (Coleman). Finding him in a box at the adoption center, David (Cusack) coaxes him out of his walled-in life and into the real world. But it takes time and strength to do it, and David wonders if he has the fortitude and abilities to bring Dennis all the way. Dealing with parenting as a single parent, David discovers the additional difficulties of having a son so different than every other child. Dennis wears weight belts (to keep him from floating away), needs an umbrella to shield him from the sun (because Earth is much closer to it than his home planet, Mars), and his significant dietary requirements (Lucky Charms ...although not explained would make sense since they contain star shapes, etc.).
The story is told well if not predictably. The engaging portions are those surrounding Dennis' conversion from alien to human after the slow realization that David won't be letting go of him ("Why did my parents let me go?"). The significance of the weight belt (to keep him from floating away like his real parents) and the umbrella (to shield him from persecution by those the same age) are set up and knocked down with adequate dramatic flair.
But there are no science fiction elements whatsoever. Similar in tone to K-Pax, this story focuses on the people and their mental flaws. It tells us, in no uncertain terms, that being human is okay; that we don't have to be from somewhere else in order to be unique and wanted and understood.
No spaceships. No time travel. No green skinned creatures. Just humans trying to figure out how to live with one another in something resembling harmony.
SWEET MOVIE July 30, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
THE MARTIAN CHILD
Love any movie with John Cusack. And where there is John Cusack, there is Joan Cusack, who is also a favorite of mine. The brother/sister team always work well together. The saying goes actors should never work with children and animals -- however, this movie really worked well with everyone involved being awesome.
Cusack plays a sci-fic writer who is dealing with the passing of his wife and having writer's block. He feels he needs something/someone in his life and applies to become an adoptive parent.
Enter Bobby Coleman, a cute, sweet, talented little actor. He is Dennis. Dennis is odd, a misfit, one of those kids that everyone picks on and makes fun of. However, all of this doesn't seem to bother Dennis and he truly believes he is from Mars. He has his own little language, is super intelligent, walks to the beat of a different drummer.
Cusack takes him into his heart and home and tries to help Dennis overcome all of his problems. Dennis steals, lies, and doesn't have any friends. Add all of these factors to him believing he is from Mars and you have a child who is crying out for attention, affection, stability, and love.
This is a great family movie. The Cusacks are always good in everything they do. Bobby Coleman who plays Dennis had this role down pat. He had great facial expressions, his voice was always in a different tone zone, and he was marvelous. Hope to see more of this young man in the future.
Great family movie, for people of all ages. This movie was fun, interesting, and heart-warming. Highly recommend!
Thank you!
Pam
 Thank you July 21, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Thank you for shipping this so quickly and the dvd is was in very good shape, no scratches!
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