Based on David Gerrold’s original short story [which he later expanded to a novel], Martian Child is a good-hearted tale of a science-fiction writer who adopts a six-year old boy who believes he’s from Mars. The original story is a fictionalization of a true story [Gerrold’s] and works on every level. The movie, alas, is far too maudlin, far too often to be a success.
David Gordon [John Cusack] is a recent widower and successful science-fiction writer. He has a novel that’s made him a household name and a publisher who wants a sequel sooner than later. When Sophie [Sophie Okenedo] calls him about adopting a strange little boy, he has to wonder why. The boy, Dennis [Bobby Coleman] is a pale little fellow who lives in a box and thinks he’s from Mars.
Intrigued, but uncertain, David slowly grows to li8ke the unique kid and arranges to adopt him, following a trial period. His sister, Liz [Joan Cusak] thinks he’s nuts, but his galpal, Harlee [Amanda Peet] thinks he’s just the guy to deal with raising a Martian child. Obstacles, including Dennis’ tendency to steal stuff, a poorly timed visit from Mr. Lefkowitz [Richard Schiff] – the man who is checking on David’s abilities as a father and the death of David’s dog, Somewhere, all provide dramatic fodder for the tale.
If there’s one thing that can’t be faulted here, it’s the performances. Neither Cusak has been better than here; Coleman makes us believe that Dennis just possibly might kinda sorta be an alien; Peet is adequate as the girl who’s waiting patiently for David to move on with his life [and sees this as a big step in the right direction, and Schiff manages to be the opposition to David’s adoption of Dennis without entirely being a villain.
The problem here is that the pace is too slow – except for a montage of happy moments with David and Dennis – the script hammers home each and every plot point without much subtlety, and the soundtrack isn’t at all helpful in underscoring the mood. After awhile, we want to shout, “We get it! He’s dysfunctional and only David’s love can help him! Get on with it!”
The result is that Martian Child could easily have told its story in ninety minutes, but lingers on for an additional fifteen. This is a movie that is worth catching on cable, or renting, but is definitely not worth your ten-to-twelve bucks in a theatre. In fact, I’ll bet that it’ll play better on television.
Final Grade: C-
“Martian Child” tells the Hollywood version of an autobiography about a {young widowed} man who
adopts a troubled boy. Excellent performances in a touching film.
GRADE = “A-”
NOTES :
(1) The studio would be wise to dub-in a substitute whenever the ‘J-word’ is used.
(2) {The author is gay.}