Movie reviews, production notes, and more! - "Martian Child"

Movie Review: Martian Child

Film Review By Tasha Robinson, Special to the Tribune The film plot about the needy kid who redeems a male loner has been done to death, and on the surface, "Martian Child" just looks like another entry in the genre, a close follower to "About A Boy." And yet, perhaps due to the sensitive source material - a semi-autobiographical novelette by science-fiction writer David Gerrold, who later expanded it into a book - "Martian Child" finds new angles on an old trope. But while it isn't a particularly close adaptation of Gerrold's story, it still goes awry whenever it wanders from his basic premise. John Cusack plays widower David Gordon, a self-described "damaged successful person" whose hit science-fiction novel has made him rich but not fulfilled. Longing to do something meaningful with his life, he explores adoption, and his writing (plus his history as a geeky outcast) helps him gravitate toward Dennis (Bobby Coleman), a withdrawn abuse victim who insists he's a Martian. Rather than dissuading him, David gently plays along, half humoring Dennis and half sympathizing with his obvious defense mechanisms against human trauma. Like Gerrold's story, much of the film simply follows Dennis and David as they emerge ... read more Official Web Site: http://www.martianchild.com Back to main movie page Showing Today at: Click here for other showings