With good acting, story, ‘Martian Child' doesn't alienate families

Published: November 2, 2007

Whether he's playing it geeky cool, sweet and sad or sly and dark, John Cusack almost always goes for characters who defy conventional boundaries, so the role of loving father might not seem a proper fit for the maverick leading man. But he wears it beautifully in "Martian Child,” a funny, poignant and ultimately uplifting study in the healing power of parental love.

Of course, Cusack's not playing the standard-issue dad, and this isn't "Father Knows Best”-style family fare.

Directed by Menno Meyjes ("Max”) from a script by Seth E. Bass and Jonathan Tolins ("The Twilight of the Golds”), "Martian Child” is based on a short story by science-fiction luminary David Gerrold about a sci-fi writer and long-grieving widower named David Gordon (Cusack) who decides to adopt an abandoned 6-year-old boy named Dennis (Bobby Coleman).

His married-with-children sister (delightful Joan Cusack) and the group-home director (Sophie Okonedo) warn against the idea, since David is still in a fragile state of mind over the loss of his wife, and Dennis is the most emotionally damaged child at the shelter. The boy has a severe attachment disorder and feels so alienated that he hides under a cardboard box all day and believes he's a Martian who's sensitive to sunrays. Having grown up an oddball loner himself, David can relate to Dennis' plight.

Despite the potential disaster, David dives in bravely and has the support of his best friend, Harlee (Amanda Peet), whom he finds himself growing attracted to. But his agent (an underused Oliver Platt) is worried that David is too preoccupied with parenthood to make his next publishing deadline, and the skeptical head of the adoption review board (Richard Schiff) keeps showing up when Dennis is on his worst behavior.

Scenes range from hilarious to wrenchingly sad as man and boy gain and lose ground in their struggle to fathom one another, and their story arc is irresistibly engaging from start to pulse-quickening finish, thanks to an expertly crafted script and Meyjes' sure-handed direction.

For so young an actor, Coleman gives a startlingly intuitive and believable performance as the little boy terrified of opening up, only to be left alone again. And Cusack is worthy of cheers as the unorthodox dad who goes to heroic lengths to make the child feel human again, and wanted.

Who knew the subversive star of so many R-rated films could fare so well in a PG movie that whole families can feel good about?

— Gene Triplett

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