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

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2097 in DVD
• Brand: Warner Brothers
• Released on: 2008-02-12
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: 1.25 pounds
• Running time: 107 minutes

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

Customer Reviews

"Isn't Being Human Unique Enough?"
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
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
Thank you for shipping this so quickly and the dvd is was in very good shape, no scratches!