Martian Child (2007)

Director:

Menno Meyjes

Writers (WGA):

Seth Bass (screenplay) &
Jonathan Tolins (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

2 November 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

The story of a man becoming a father...and a boy becoming a son.

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Brother Sister Relationship | Sunglasses | Single Father | Dog | Literary Agent

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

John Cusack	...	David
Bobby Coleman	...	Dennis aka the Martian Child
Amanda Peet	...	Harlee
Sophie Okonedo	...	Sophie
Joan Cusack	...	Liz
Oliver Platt	...	Jeff
Bud	...	Somewhere aka 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

MPAA:

Rated PG ror thematic elements and mild language (theatrical); for thematic elements. (video)

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

South Korea:All | Australia:PG (DVD rating) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | USA:PG (certificate #42287) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:M | Canada:G (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Quebec) | South Africa:PG | Singapore:PG | Taiwan:GP | Malaysia:U | Germany:6 | USA:PG | Finland:K-7

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Hannah Rachel Production Services Ltd.

Trivia:

Director Jerry Zucker was brought in to shoot new footage, according to Patrick Goldstein in the Los Angeles Times on 10 August 2007

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When David and his sister are looking at the projector Dennis created in his room it is clearly has a single light projecting each of four pictures through a magnifying glass as they rotate past the light, but when they look up we see all four photos projected and rotating on the ceiling.

Quotes:

David: Uh, listen, Chief, I, uh... I brought you some sunblock. Very strong stuff. SPF 45, that's sun protection factor, and uh, helps you against the ultraviolet rays, which are, you know, they call them the UV rays. Anyways, it’s hypoallergenic and waterproof. I'll just leave it for you.

Movie Connections:

References The Sound of Music (1965)

Soundtrack:

Mr. Blue Sky

Not Like Everyone Else

While walking with his sister Liz (Joan Cusack) in the park, widower David Gordon (John Cusack) confesses, "I just want my life to have meaning..." I think what David really is talking about is a personal legacy. David is considering adopting Dennis (Bobby Coleman), a strange little boy who spends his days in card board box with cut out holes. Oh yes, and Dennis believes he is from Mars. He is here on earth to study "human being-ness". This is the conceit of Director Menno Meyjes's "Martian Child". The screenplay by Seth Bass and Jonathan Tolins is based on the novel by David Gerrold. "Martian Child" really flew under the movie radar. I had heard about it earlier in the year, and got the gist of the story. Being a fan of John Cusack and Amanda Peete, I was curious to see the "Martian Child". More curious was the lack of fan fare or promotion associated with the movie. "Martian Child" plays much like an independent film, except for its talented named cast. "Martian Child" is reminiscent of "K-Pax" with Jeff Bridges and Kevin Spacey. Where "K-Pax" crumbled despite noble intentions with its horrendously ambiguous ending, "Martian Child" has a distinct conclusion without the pretense or ambition. "Martian Child" is not a great movie. However, for what it is—it is satisfying. Meyjes's "Martian Child" is a sentimental tear jerker that is so very earnest and sweet. John Cusack is amazing.

John Cusack plays David Gordon, a successful science fiction writer. His best selling book is in production as a big budget Hollywood movie. David's agent Jeff (neurotic Oliver Platt) desperately pleads with David to finish his book sequel draft. Their publisher Mimi (Anjelica Huston) anxiously awaits the draft, so she can throw a coming out party in 6 weeks. That is a little wacky. David's wife and the love of his life died two years ago, and since then much of his life is on hold. He lives in a great home with his dog, Somewhere. David's best friend is the beautiful and radiant Harlee (Amanda Peete)—his wife's sister. This makes for a dicey storyline, given the way things usually evolve in these situations. Amanda Peete is great here. She has a naturalness and ease.

David gets a call from his social worker friend Sophie (Sophie Okonedo). Obviously David has reservations about a boy in a box who thinks he's from Mars. Sophie reassures, "You write about Mars." Thus, the experiment begins. David brings Dennis to his home on a trial basis. Dennis wears sun block and sunglasses to counteract being on a planet closer to the sun than Mars. He also wears a weight belt so as not to float away. And Dennis only eats Lucky Charms—which are magically delicious.

David struggles his way through, and begins to really see Dennis. Dennis reminds him of his younger outsider self. David also starts wondering whether Dennis is really who he says he is following meaningful coincidences at a Cubs baseball game, and Dennis's apparent ability to taste color. This seems like a clumsy narrative device.

What eventually wins over "Martian Child" is the brilliant chemistry between John Cusack and Bobby Coleman. There is an inspired moment when Dennis and David gaze above at the stars. Coleman as Dennis embodies the right awkwardness and innocence. He touchingly asks David "Is it good to be like everyone else?" John Cusack is funny, frustrated and nobly compassionate as David evolves into a caring father. In a moving scene he tells Dennis, "There is nothing you can do to change the way I feel about you…" Cusack commands the story's humanity and underlying strength.

We all want to make a difference in life. And we all want to able to love and be loved—that is what it is to be human. "Martian Child" ultimately celebrates our humanity.