A heart-tugging story of a
lonely widower who adopts an emotionally scarred orphan, "
Martian Child" is the kind of film that depends on how much
we like the characters and warm to their connection. That's the most successful
aspect of this adaptation of the autobiographical novel by science fiction
writer David Gerrold.
John Cusack radiates compassion and affection through his
defensive posture as a widower and science fiction author, while newcomer Bobby
Coleman is a cute kid with a palpable sense of emotional vulnerability.
Amanda Peet exudes her patented mix of charm, beauty, humor
and smarts as the best friend who may become more than a friend, but it's an
underwritten role and an unconvincing subplot.
Sophie Okonedo,
Oliver Platt and
Joan Cusack co-star, and
Anjelica Huston has a showboating cameo as Cusack's
publisher. Features commentary by producers Corey Sienega and David Kirschner
and screenwriters Seth Bass and Jonathan Tolins, the featurettes "Handle With
Care: Working With the Martian Child" and "The Real Martian Child," and deleted
scenes.
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