Martian Child parents guide

Martian Child Parent Guide

Overall B

Recently widowed, a sci-fi author named David (John Cusack) adopts a young boy (Bobby Coleman) who claims he comes from Mars. Whether truth or fiction, as the two lonely souls spend more time together, their relationship opens up a whole new world.

Release date November 1, 2007

Violence B-
Sexual Content B+
Profanity B
Substance Use A

Why is Martian Child rated PG? The MPAA rated Martian Child PG for thematic elements and mild language (theatrical); for thematic elements, (video)

Run Time: 106 minutes

Parent Movie Review

If you have never had a youngster who fixated on a particular fantasy, this film may be somewhat difficult for you to relate to. I however, instantly appreciated the situation depicted in Martian Child because one of my own kids went through a phase where he insisted he was from Saturn.

The movie begins with David (John Cusack), a widower and writer living alone in his trendy LA home. His sister Liz (Joan Cusack, the real-life sister of John) desperately wants him to have something besides just work in his life. So does his friend Sophie (Sophie Okeonedo), who conveniently operates a foster home.

Amongst Sophie’s many charges is Dennis (Bobby Colman), a little tike who believes he is from Mars and spends his days inside a cardboard box so the bright sunlight on Earth won’t fry him faster than a Star Trek phaser. Needless to say David isn’t certain the little boy within the corrugated walls is someone he wants to spend the rest of his life caring for. But after some contemplation and discussions with his sister Liz, the science fiction author decides maybe he is a better match than most for the young alien. With this in mind David returns for another visit, this time bearing a gift—a tube of sunscreen.

Eventually the boy in the box becomes comfortable enough to venture into trying a new life for a few days. Still, he insists on some ground rules, including a regimented diet of Lucky Charms and permission to continue wearing his gravity belt to keep from floating away. He cites the need for the latter by explaining that’s how he was separated from his last parents.

Closely monitoring the new trial relationship is Mr. Lefkowitz (Richard Schiff), a cynical social worker who drops into David’s home unannounced to see if disaster is imminent—arriving at such times like the moment David encourages Dennis to explore his grief and anger by throwing food around the kitchen. As the days pass, the sacrifices made by this father-in-wanting help to form closer bonds between himself and the mini-Martian, and set up the script for the ultimate battle between a soft-hearted widower and a hard-hearted state bureaucracy.

Based on the biographical book authored by sci-fi writer David Gerrold about his own experience adopting his son Sean, this sentimental film makes a strong statement about giving challenged children a loving environment in which to grow. Unfortunately, it does suffer from a somewhat formulaic plot with a clearly mapped out finish. As well, it vacillates between feeling like a kid-oriented comedy and an adult drama. Full of dialogue-heavy scenes punctuated by a suicide attempt and some other perilous moments, the movie is difficult to recommend for young viewers.

Yet the real David (whose son Sean is now an adult) says he felt the production and Cusack’s performance were so authentic that (quoting his own words from his website www.gerrold.com) it “was practically an invasion of my privacy.” He also hopes the movie may encourage others to consider the possibility of adopting. With such motives perhaps some of the stereotypes and cliches can be forgiven, and the focus placed instead on the story’s intent to reveal the out-of-this-world rewards of parenthood.

Starring John Cusack, Joan Cusack, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Bobby Coleman.. Running time: 106 minutes. Theatrical release November 1, 2007. Updated

Martian Child
Rating & Content Info

Why is Martian Child rated PG? Martian Child is rated PG by the MPAA for thematic elements and mild language (theatrical); for thematic elements, (video)

This heartwarming story of a man’s determination to adopt a child with social challenges may not appeal to young viewers due to many scenes of dialogue and adult-focused situations. However, there are few content concerns other than a handful of Christian terms of deity used as expletives and some moments of peril (such as a young character attempting suicide by jumping). A woman briefly mentions “growing breasts” as a turning point in grade school.

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Martian Child Parents' Guide

In corresponding with David Gerrold, he indicates his experience with the social workers who arranged the adoption of his son Sean, were very positive. Says David, “Their commitment to the children was unconditional.” Why do you think social workers are often portrayed—as they are in this movie—as being difficult or doubting? How does this portrayal add to the dramatic conflict in this film?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Martian Child movie is February 11, 2008. Here are some details…

The Marian Child lands on DVD with extra materials to explore. Use your “radar sensors” for the audio commentary by producers David Kirschner and Corey Sienega, and writers Seth E. Bass and Jonathan Tolins, and your “optical indicators” for deleted scenes as well as the featurettes Handle With Care (working with the Martian Child) and The Real Martian Child. Audio tracks are available in English (Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo Surround), with subtitles in English and Spanish.

Related home video titles:

If you are a Star Trek fan, you may have seen some of David Gerrold’s work. He was the scriptwriter for what is regarded as the most popular Star Trek episode from the original series: The Trouble With Tribbles. He has written for numerous other science-fiction television series as well.

Video alternatives…

Another young boy hides in a box to escape the loneliness of losing his mom in the film Millions. John Cusack portrays another widower in the movie Grace Is Gone. Actress Joan Cusack (John’s real life sister), who plays David’s advice-giving sister, took on a similar role in the movie Raising Helen.