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Martian Child

Pedestrian family drama is frustratingly earthbound

By Geoff Berkshire

November 2, 2007

Critic's Rating:

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Science-fiction writer David Gordon (John Cusack) follows through on his recently deceased wife’s wishes to adopt and becomes a single parent to a young outcast, Dennis (Bobby Coleman), who claims to be from Mars. Although there’s some suggestion that Dennis may have a few superhuman abilities, the real focus is David bringing the lonely kid out of his shell.

Big question: Is this PG-rated drama about outsiders finding a way in the world heartening or pure hokum?

Skip it: Despite likeable performances from Cusack and Coleman, there’s no overcoming the story’s rote attempts at heart-tugging drama (it’s no surprise when Cat Stevens pops up on the soundtrack). Dennis is quite an oddball, accurately described at one point as a “little Andy Warhol.” His behavior, including a made-up language and lots of talk about his “mission” on Earth, is so goofy it nearly transforms the film into high camp. But the overriding sappiness keeps killing the so-bad-it’s-good buzz.

Catch it: For a lot of shameless product placement. Dennis initially walks around inside an Amazon.com box, only eats Lucky Charms cereal and demonstrates he can “taste color” by asking David to feed him M&Ms.

Bottom line: It’s possible to be sentimental without being soft-headed, but "Martian Child” never finds that balance. The film's only surprise is that the short story that inspired it wasn’t written by Mitch Albom or Nicholas Sparks. For a far superior PG-rated blend of space and family themes check out this year’s “The Astronaut Farmer.”

Bonus: Among his many missteps, director Menno Meyjes (who also helmed the underwhelming Cusack drama “Max”) tries to get political with photos of George W. Bush prominent on the walls of several oppressive authority figures. Subtlety is not his strong suit.

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