Martian Child DVD Review

Martian Child stars John Cusack as David, a science-fiction writer and widower contemplating adopting a child, thus fulfilling his deceased wife’s wishes. His potential adoptee is Dennis (played by relative acting newcomer Bobby Coleman), a young, parentless, friendless outcast who tells everyone he’s from Mars, literally.

David feels a sense of connection to Dennis (the sci-fi connection, perhaps?), and agrees to take him on a trial basis, despite advice from his sister, Liz (played by his real-life sister Joan Cusack) to reconsider.

Instead, David’s unique parenting style surfaces to include such oddities as quoting Churchill’s “Never ever, ever ,ever, ever, ever give up”, as well as letting Dennis be himself, quirks and all. In a sense, they are both odd ducks in a straight and narrow world. And as the pair bond, ultimately they change each others’ lives.

Martian Child is based on the novel of the same name by David Gerrold and adapted for the screen by Seth Bass and Jonathan Tolins. Under director Menno Meyjes’ watch, the additional cast–including both Cusacks; Oliver Platt as David’s agent, Jeff; and Amanda Peet as hippy-chick Harlee, who was also his wife’s best friend–all do an outstanding job with what could be considered odd material.

That is perhaps the biggest error with the film–that it doesn’t fit in any one neat category (other than drama). It’s not really a family film, as kids are bound to get bored with the seriousness of it. Nor is it a romance per se. Despite the title, it’s not science fiction, either. In the end, it’s simply a story about finding your place in the world, however hard that journey might be.

The film is presented in 1.85:1 aspect ratio, with sound in 5.1 Dolby Digital. Extras include feature-length audio commentary with producers David Kirschner and Corey Sienega, as well as writers Bass and Tolins (interestingly, the film was extensively reshot by Jerry Zucker, explaining the absence of the director’s comments).

There are also 27 minutes of deleted and alternate scenes. Featurettes include “Handle with Care: Working with the Martian Child”, which explains Coleman’s participation in the film and provides an insider’s look at life on the set for a child; and “The Real Martian Child”, which allows the original author, Gerrold, to recall his own experience with adoption.

The fact that this filmed slipped quietly from the theaters and onto DVD release is not surprising. But Martian Child is a touching film, certainly worth renting.