Review of Martian Child (2007) by Jason C — 26 Jul 2008

I have always been a John Cusack fan and even happier when he teams up with his sister Joan (love her) so I am pretty much assuredly going to watch most movies he comes out with.

I saw some mixed reviews on this one and got burned by "Serendipity," but liked the premise of "Martian Child" so I forgave a little.

Eccentric writer ostracized in his early childhood for being "odd" loses his wife and finds his calling in being the father to an adopted son who is even odder than he was.

The movie is charming even though sometimes it pushes the message too far and occasionally relies on heavy cliche. This is a very moving tale made even more moving in light of the fact that it was based on a true story. There is a 13 minute extra where the writer and his "Martian child" do a bit of a retrospective on how the story was written based upon their relationship, trials and tribulations and that the child in the film is, in fact, a mirror to his own adopted son (who we do get to meet).

This tidbit makes the film that much more special.

A good movie about being true to oneself and not compromising your heart in the face of any external influences as well as accepting others for exactly who they are.

Check it out.