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List Price: $28.98 | | Label: New Line Cinema
Salesrank: 5002
Released: February 12, 2008 |
| Our Price: $5.99 |
| Used Price: $1.74 |
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MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
After decades of playing single men in romantic comedies from the classic SAY ANYTHING to the critical favorite HIGH FIDELITY the year 2007 marks a change for John Cusack. With roles as fathers in 1408 GRACE IS GONE and MARTIAN CHILD the beloved actor grows up and deserves some of the highest praise of his career. In MARTIAN CHILD David Gordon (Cusack) is a successful science fiction author plagued by both the death of his wife and writer s block. When a group home worker (Sophie Okonedo) tries to pair him with a young boy named Dennis (Bobby Coleman) David initially resists. But once David spends time with Dennis he realizes how special the boy is. The outsider (and sci-fi fan) in David thinks he might just understand Dennis best since the child believes that he s from Mars and he ll return there soon. David and Dennis struggle to create the most unconventional of families as Dennis strives to learn more about being human.MARTIAN CHILD is a moving drama that works because of the genuine performances of everyone involved but it rides on both the experienced shoulders of Cusack and those of his young costar Coleman. Both excel at communicating their characters isolation and eventual connection but it s Coleman s work in his first major role that is such a pleasant surprise. Supporting turns from Cusack s sister Joan (who plays his sister in the film) and Amanda Peet add emotional depth to the sweet story. MARTIAN CHILD is based on the autobiographical novel by David Gerrold who is most famous for writing the STAR TREK fan favorite "The Trouble with Tribbles."Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY/FAMILY GATHERINGS UPC: 794043106835 Manufacturer No: N10683
Description of Martian Child:
The skeptical, melancholy eyes of John Cusack anchor Martian Child, a sweet but not cloying story of a widowed man who adopts a misfit kid who believes he's from another planet. David Gordon (Cusack) is a successful science-fiction author--which is perhaps what leads a children's counselor (Sophie Okonedo, Dirty Pretty Things) to pair him with a would-be extra-terrestrial named Dennis (Bobby Coleman). Reluctantly at first, David tries to communicate with Dennis by fostering his belief--but as they grow attached to each other, the administrators of the organization that put them together sees this playing along as a failure to be a proper parent and threatens to take Dennis away. The first two-thirds or so of Martian Child are marvelous; though the scenario could be saccharine, the script and performances are full of details and complexities that make it feel genuine and affecting. The last third, unfortunately, seems to be the result of studio meddling, for the themes and emotions become awkwardly overstated. But what will stay with you are the moments of refreshing honesty and tender trust from the earlier part of the movie; the ending, clumsy and tone-deaf though it is, doesn't wipe away the delicate earlier interplay of David and Dennis. Also featuring Oliver Platt (Funny Bones), Amanda Peet (Igby Goes Down), and Anjelica Huston (Prizzi's Honor). --Bret Fetzer
Martian Child Reviews:
Excellent and Underappreciated 
2009-11-30 - This is one of the best movies I have seen in a long time-period. The boy actor was fantastic, the story was fresh and interesting. Great family values...Just a terrific movie for kids and adults. Even my 80 year old mom loved it! I don't give summaries of the movies in my reviews...a waste of time. You can read that on the movie page.
He's not one of us...or is he?
2009-11-24 - I suppose one can say this movie was predictable - a hard-to-place foster child being adopted by a widower. But with a wonderful screenplay and fine acting by John and Joan Cusack, this movie reminds us how difficult it is to blend into a society when one feels differently from others. How many of us have felt like an outsider while growing up? Sure we can laugh now, secured in our adulthood, but as a child, this can be rather intimidating. Based on a novel by David Gerrold (who wrote the book when he adopted his son), this movie captures the joys and difficulties of being a parent. Great movie to watch with your little ones. Older kids may not find it as interesting, depending on their taste in movies.
A movie or a PSA? 
2009-10-26 - A very nice family movie that is great for those looking to get into/already involved with adoption. Felt that it was almost more of a "adopt-a-child" drama-mentary rather than an ingenious piece of film making. Don't get me wrong, it was a nice attempt at a movie, and did a great job at displaying the trials of adopting kids...but was so light in anything of substance that I almost forgot I was watching a movie and started to reach for the phone to donate to a local adoption agency. That might be the point of the movie, and if so, it succeeded. Great for soccer mom's and family's, and I'm sure Lifetime will enjoy replaying this movie on their network until it becomes more stale than "Golden Girls."
As human as it can be
2009-10-01 - As good as it can get. This is a great movie, its a shame that it did not do well @ the box office. But this is a big company mistake, for just betting to high FX, Action movies.
This is definately a movie that has much to learn from. It's fun, entertaining very touchy at times, but very well achieved storyline. Moreover, is not a tiresome movie, and it really gets your attention at all times.
All actors acchieve their role perfectly and do some of the best performances ever seing.
A must on you DVD shelf.
I have not received the DVD. 
2009-09-20 - The DVD I ordered have not come yet. Since I ordered, it is almost 1 month. The price of DVD was charged on my credit card altough I did not receive it. Amzon does not show the contact information and I have no way. So I will discuss about this with my credit campany or others. Please send the DVD to my house ( my house address is correct), or return my money.
