Martian Child

I enjoyed this film very much. It touched on so many personal issues -self-worth, identity, need to connect to others through acceptance. Never conforming totally to what is expected of you... preserve the child within and against fear stepping forward to trust.

This film remains focused on the relationship between father and son. The other characters provide a balance of "emotional artwork" and never over shadow or distract from the primary quest. Will this child give up on his fantasy? Will the story take us on a ride? On the surface, this film masks as a typical story of the single parent needing to fill a void so he adopts a young foster child who has social issues. It remains emotionally balanced, yet reaches us in deeper places. We awaken to our core of unconditional love and deep desire to be unlimited in our power. It proves that we all have so much more inside than we ever tap into. A must see.

This film is about a widowed writer adopting a very difficult child. The child insists that he is from Mars, and is reluctant to have human contact.

"Martian Child" is a warm film that celebrates unconditional love. David's love and patience is constantly tested by Dennis' problematic behaviour. Through open communication, love and respect, they open their hearts to each other. Dennis is an adorable and clever character, even at a young age, he deals with rejection by rejecting others. He even makes up an elaborate story to make himself feel better. It is engaging and sad.

David (John Cusack) lost his wife two years ago. He's still struggling with the loss, especially since his wife, Mary, had wanted to adopt a child. Now, David gets the idea that, even though he is single, he will try to make the adoption happen. When he learns of a child named Dennis (Bobby Coleman), David is intrigued. Dennis, an abandoned and abused child, hides in a box and insists he is a Martian child, waiting for his real, alien parents to come and get him. This is a revelation to David, for he, too, was a shy, outcast child who developed elaborate stories, stories that eventually became his bread-and-butter as a leading science fiction writer. But, once Dennis is placed in David's home, the task of "socializing" the little boy enough to satisfy the decrees of the social service agencies becomes daunting. Dennis insists he only can eat Lucky Charms and he steals/borrows from others repeatedly, among other odd behaviors. But, it is painfully obvious that the tiny lad is in a gripping, constant fear that David will abandon him, too. Can David succeed in making Dennis his true son? This is a lovely film, one told with humor and sensitivity. Cusack, a very fine performer, is excellent as the man who opens his heart up to a troubled, scared, discarded-by-others little boy. Coleman is also wonderful as the youngster with a giant imagination. The rest of the cast, Joan Cusack, Howard Hesseman, Amanda Peet, and others fulfill their roles nicely as well. All of the production niceties, such as costumes, sets, and scenery, are more than adequate. Yet, it is the script that is the biggest winner here, laying out a story of bonding, lasting love between a father and a son that can not fail to touch a heart of stone. Do you want to see a film that will bring laughter bubbling up through a dose of tears? March out right now and buy your ticket for the lovely Martian Child.

As a father/parent with five kids, I highly recommend all guardians of life see Martian Child. I'm personally a better person and have expanded my acceptance of others self-expression. We should all find, our voices and release the Martian Child within us. This is a special singular film in this CGI era. (FYI: I love CGI.) Martian Child balances out product driven entertainment with straight, direct to the soul, honest entertainment. This film has given me, the gift to give my own children much more room to be free, self-expressed and accepted exactly the way they are, and the way they are not. My wife is also enjoying the benefits. If they only knew, I'm simply seeing them as my Martian Child. See it, and find your inner Martian. Luis Moro, Never hide.

What would be different about a child from the planet Mars than one born on Earth? No one knows, since for all practical reasons no one has ever meet a Martian Baby. David (John Cusack) a widowed science fiction writer, with writer's block decides to find out, by adopting an unwanted boy. The boy, Dennis, (Bobby Coleman) outwardly acts as if he is a child from our closest celestial neighbor, the planet Mars. David and Dennis appear well suited for each other because they are both living apart from society. David does so by living alone and writing science fiction novels up until the present time of his wife's death, now he is just alone. Dennis, avoids contact with everyone by taking on the guise of the child from Mars, an alien, a stranger, who acts differently than the norm, and therefore society avoids confrontation with what is unusual. This screenplay is adult in nature because it deals with issues that are unpleasant and upsetting. Taking on the responsibility of rearing an unwanted child, alone, having never actually been a parent, and never knowing if the love you give is going to be returned is a huge step! This is a film that will be appreciated by a very small audience. One must first be able to get past self indulgence and reach a certain level of maturity before one can consider taking on the total responsibility of another life form. Director Menno Meyies has created a very strong bond between David and Dennis in their scenes throughout his film. Unfortunately most of the people on this planet will never see their performances. Go out of your way, go alone if you must, but go see the Martian Child. If you are a parent it will remind you of raising your own children, if you are not yet a parent it will remind you of the childhood you had and the experience of raising your own Martian Child yet to come!