Martian Child (2007)

A science-fiction writer, recently widowed, considers whether to adopt a hyper-imaginative 6-year-old abandoned and socially rejected boy who says he's really from Mars.

Director:

Menno Meyjes

Writers:

Seth Bass (screenplay), Jonathan Tolins (screenplay),

Stars:

John Cusack, Bobby Coleman, Amanda Peet

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Cusack	...	David
Bobby Coleman	...	Dennis
Amanda Peet	...	Harlee
Sophie Okonedo	...	Sophie
Joan Cusack	...	Liz
Oliver Platt	...	Jeff
Bud	...	Somewhere / Flomar
Richard Schiff	...	Lefkowitz
Taya Calicetto	...	Esther
David Kaye	...	Andy
Braxton Bonneville	...	Nicholas
Samuel Charles	...	Jonas
Zak Ludwig	...	Young David
Samuel Patrick Chu	...	Boy at Group Home
Ryan Morrissette	...	Boy at Group Home

Storyline

What's the nature of being a parent and of being a child? David is a widower grieving for two years. He writes science fiction and was considered weird as a boy. He meets Dennis, a foster child who claims to be on a mission from Mars, stays in a large box all day, fears sunlight, and wears a belt of flashlight batteries so he won't float away. David takes the six-year-old home on a trial. His sister and his wife's best friend offer support, but the guys are basically alone to figure this out. Dennis takes things, is expelled, and is coached by David in being normal. Will the court approve the adoption, and will Dennis stay? Can a man become a father and a child become a son?

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Plot Keywords:

boy | adoption | flashlight | best friend | writer | 

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Taglines:

It doesn't matter where you come from, as long as you find where you belong!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements and mild language

Details

Official Sites:

New Line Cinema [us] Warner Bros. [de]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 November 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Un niño de otro mundo

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$27,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$1,843,767 (USA) (2 November 2007)

Gross:

$7,486,906 (USA) (7 December 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Line Cinema, Hannah Rachel Production Services, MERADIN Zweite Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

John Cusack would once again team with Amanda Peet and Oliver Platt in the disaster movie 2012.

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Goofs

While David and Dennis are walking down the street you see the reflection in David's glasses of the crew and equipment

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Quotes

David: [after having been kissed by Harlee for showing kindness to Dennis] What was that for?
Harlee: 'Cause they're giving medals to all the wrong guys.

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Connections

References Damien: Omen II (1978)

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Soundtracks

"Jingle Bells"
Traditional
Written by James Pierpont (as J.S. Pierpont)
Performed by Bing Crosby
Courtesy of Platinum Music Libraries
Under license from Ford Music Services

User Reviews

Sensational Movie! Cusacks finest performance.

Martian Child is a unique movie that you will not only find emotional but very true! The movie is intelligent, funny and loving with some of the finest acting from both John Cusack and Bobby Coleman. It is a mix between Big Daddy and K-Pax but without doubt has more intelligence and emotion than those two movies! Both Cusack and Coleman form a bond that is so strong and loving, you actually shed tears throughout the movie! It is a great film and i am sure that when it is release it will do well at the box office like all of Cusacks movies! Its a feel good piece of art and one of the best of the year! The movie will make you want to hold your children and enjoy life, it has a Disney feel but is so intelligent that you admire the director and the actors.