When at first I saw previews of the movie Martian Child, I was intrigued by the possibility of this movie being another K-Pax, the is-he-or-isn’t-he-from-another-planet drama starring Kevin Spacey.
In Martian Child, John Cusack, who plays David, a popular science-fiction author of a successful new book, introduces the audience to himself as a “weird child.”
The movie quickly introduces us to characters, mostly the women in his life. Liz, who not only plays his sister, but is also his real-life sibling, Joan Cusack. Her opinions influence greatly what creates the plot of the movie.
Still mourning the death of his wife, Cusack must learn to love again, but not in ways you’d suspect.
He plays with the idea of adopting a child, but decides at first not to go through with it, as he and his deceased wife had planned.
Suddenly he is introduced to another “weird child” and works his magic throughout the film to help him think,
literally, outside the box.
Amanda Peet portrays Harlee, his friend in times of necessity, with great open -mindedness and willingness to also love this endangered child.
Despite some of the tactics they use being highly unconventional in the eyes of the adoption agency board, many encourage Cusack. Even he is drawn into the highly imaginative world that this 6-year-old child Dennis (Bobby Coleman) has created.
Martian Child reminded me of K-Pax because in some instances, Dennis is so convincing, that you wonder if he really isn’t from Mars.
The child actor protrays his role very well and convinces the audience to believe he really is from Mars.
Intellects and viewers intrigued by psychological thrillers might find this movie to be a chart topper of explicit proportions, but those only interested in fast action, spiced up cinematic tricks will most definitely not be impressed.
The movie feels like a documentary, peeking into real lives at their most chaotic and beautiful moments.
Though it is classified as a comedy / drama, there’s only an occasional guffaw, but many eye-poppers and tear scenes.
Some heart-wrenching scenes, not followed by traditional comic relief, make it as realistic as possible. It is after all, based on true-life events.
