Martian Child Review
by Steve Rhodes (steve DOT rhodes AT internetreviews DOT com)November 7th, 2007
MARTIAN CHILD
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2007 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): **
Is he or isn't he? Dennis (Bobby Coleman) is a weird kid who has been living his life in a cardboard box and who claims to be from Mars. With his androgynous looks and his whispery, squeaky voice, it isn't even clear at first if he is really a "he" or not.
Dennis is an orphan who really believes he is from another planet. The movie, on the other hand, isn't so sure. Sometimes it leads us to believe that he may indeed be Martian, while most of the time it has us sympathizing with a delusional and troubled boy whose fantasies are probably nothing more than a protection mechanism.
A weird tear-jerker whose intended audience is completely unclear, MARTIAN CHILD isn't for kids, who will likely be bored by it. The movie is as confused as its character about what it is. Nominally a comedy, the script does have a few precious lines and some good jokes, but it spends most of its time spinning its wheels as it tries out one sappy idea after another.
Even with the considerable acting talents of real-life brother and sister John and Joan Cusack, playing fictional siblings David and Liz, the movie comes across as remarkably flat. David, a recent widower, is still planning on following through with his and his now dead wife's plans to adopt. Bonding with the box-bound Dennis, David is like a guy choosing the lovable mutt that everyone else has been avoiding at the pound.
It turns out that Dennis has more problems than his loner attitude and his belief in being non-human. He is also a thief who steals everything in sight. Of course, he has an explanation about why he is compelled to abscond with other people's possessions, but his reasons appear confused at best.
In a slow slog until the story reveals the truth behind Dennis's beliefs, the story does treat us to a few fine snippets of dialog. Liz, who calls her two munchkins "The Omen 1 and 2," has lots of thoughts on childrearing to share with David. "Kids are like mosquitoes," Liz tells her brother. "They keep coming after you, and they suck the life out of you." Later, David has equally cute reflections to share with her, including, "hysterical is the new calm."
The MARTIAN CHILD features a mesmerizing kid actor. But, as good as his acting is, it's just a one-note performance. He mugs for the camera in a routine that starts off as intriguing but ends up becoming tiresomely repetitive.
MARTIAN CHILD runs 1:48. It is rated PG for "thematic elements and mild language" and would be acceptable for all ages.
The film is playing in nationwide release now in the United States. In the Silicon Valley, it is showing at the AMC theaters, the Century theaters and the Camera Cinemas.
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