Review of Martian Child (2007) by Niel K — 10 Jan 2009

Adopting a child isn?t easy, especially if that child is a Martian, or thinks he?s a Martian. This film is not a science fiction, but it?s about a science fiction writer David Gordon (John Cusack) who two years after his wife died continued with the plan they had when she was still alive, adopting a child. Being a single parent isn?t his only problem. The biggest problem is because Dennis (Bobby Coleman) is an odd child, he thinks he?s Martian, he likes to walk upside down and he walks around wearing weight belts because he?s afraid of floating away because earth?s gravity won?t be able to hold him. Dennis? fantasy isn?t the only problem. Dennis steals from other kids and get expelled from schools. Being odd, of course he has no friends.

While trying to fight the feeling of being incompetent parent and trying to write the commissioned sequel of his successful book, David has also to try befriend the solitary kid and be his parent. In that he draws from his own childhood experience of being an oddball. In his effort David gets help and support from Harlee (Amanda Peet) a close friend (and would-be sweetheart), and from his sister Liz, played by his real life sister Joan Cusack, who always seems to play this kind of character (i.e. mother, protective sister).

Although the plot is predictable and the basic storyline isn?t unusual, I can?t help but being drawn by this film. Any story about an oddball, about a weird kid who?s not popular and has no friends always interests me as I was one myself. Also it shows the capacity of a child's fantasy and the complexities of a child's mind. And of course a story about a man who is attached to a kid is always interesting, what woman wouldn?t dream of that kind of man? :) And yes, I did shed a few tears!