John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Joan Cusack

The romantic drama "Martian Child" stars John Cusack as a recently widowed science fiction writer who forms an unlikely family with a close friend (Amanda Peet) and a young boy he adopts that claims t...( read more  read more... )o be from Mars. The new couple ignores some sage parenting advice from the widower's sister (Joan Cusack) and gets more than they bargained for when a series of strange occurrences lead them to believe that the child's claim may be true. Based on an award-winning short story by sci-fi luminary David Gerrold, "Martian Child' is directed by Menno Meyjes and produced by David Kirschner, Corey Sienega and Ed Elbert.

Flixster Users

74% liked it

79,557 ratings

Critics

31% liked it

102 critics

PG, 1 hr. 48 min.

Directed by: Menno Meyjes

Release Date: November 2, 2007

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DVD Release Date: February 13, 2008

Stats: 5,394 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (5,394)


  • June 5, 2009
    A little to try hard and sappy. John Cusack needs to get back to his weird, edgy roots. Whenever I see him in these straight dramas I always expect something more that I don't get.
  • November 12, 2008
    I didn't care for the father's so called parenting techniques. Throwing dishes and having ketchup fights in the house?
    The kid had mental problems!
  • November 8, 2008
    'salright
  • October 6, 2008
    Martian Child is one of those quiet movies that many people won't see. Those who don't see it will miss it. I can understand why it's sitting quiet: not much promotion, and who would it appeal to? There is no CGI, no car chases, no undue violence, only a brief kiss, and the movie...( read more) isn't partof a trilogy. People who want plot that is not clichéd, and meaningful dialogue will search the movie out. It's aimed at the heart, and touches the emotions. It makes a person realize how important it is to have people in your life who will never, ever, ever, ever give up on you. Even when it looks like you are from Mars. John Cusack is not an actor I am drawn to, yet this movie changed my mind. He has depth, wit, and range I hadn't noticed before. Even if the movie doesn't get wild acclaim, it has a quiet understatement that I hope gets noticed. We all need to belong, and have at least one person believe in us.
  • September 16, 2008
    I found this to be a very sweet and inspiring story. I usually enjoy Cusack so there was no surprise there. I would recommend this to anyone who has ever felt abandoned. A touching poignant display of love that I wish they would make movies about more often.
  • November 24, 2009
    Dirljiv, zabavan i inteligentan filmic koji me u nekim trenucima podsjetio na odlican K-pax. Klinac je savrsen za ovu ulogu i uvjerljivom glumom pojacava dramu
  • November 15, 2009
    not what ya expect but good!
  • November 14, 2009
    There was nothing special about this movie, but it works. If it wasn't for the fact that Cusack was in it, I definitely wouldn't have watched it. Coleman has a pretty strong performance for a kid.
  • November 10, 2009
    A good movie , very sad in parts.
  • November 6, 2009
    Pesantemente insulso.

Critic Reviews


November 9, 2007
Pete Hammond, Maxim

John Cusack is perfect but it's Bobby Coleman who delivers one of the most uniquely original kid performances ever. You actually believe he might be from Mars. full review

November 3, 2007
Kyle Smith, New York Post

Has enough wit and unpredictability to hold your attention. full review

November 2, 2007
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

It's off in many directions -- false in its details, false in its relationships, false in its emotions -- but probably the first and worst thing that needs to be said about it is that it's also overlo... full review

November 2, 2007
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

So bland and safe that it might appeal more directly to children than adults. full review

November 2, 2007
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

If you're allergic to schmaltz, bring a bottle of Benadryl along to Martian Child. full review

November 1, 2007
Claudia Puig, USA Today

An occasionally schmaltzy but likable story of healing and redemption. full review

November 1, 2007
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

Before long, the story's conceit -- a loud-and-clear metaphor for the ways in which we all sometimes feel alien when it comes to human relationships -- just becomes wearying. full review

November 1, 2007
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

A film so cloying it could have been processed from high-fructose corn syrup. full review

October 30, 2007
Nick Schager, Slant Magazine

The primary obstacle to enjoying any moment of Martian Child is Dennis, a little creature whose habits never feel like anything other than groan-worthy screenwriter contrivances aimed at cheaply elici... full review

View more Martian Child reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • HeadlessChook16
    April 9, 2009
    It was good, but it dragged on a little bit. The ending was a little disappointing with the child... whoever has seen it should know what I'm talking about. But other than that it was an ok film. The kid was soo tiny.
  • pavacri23
    April 21, 2008
    pretty good movie. good to watch with your family
  • alicea11
    November 9, 2007
    i thought this movie was really good the little bot is so cute and Joan Cusack is funny
  • lilo924
    November 4, 2007
    I want to see it sooooo bad...The actor is such a good one i saw him on National Tresure..Good movie!
  • atshana353
    November 2, 2007
    it's so nice and i hope to see again
    this movies
  • mikeywow2k
    November 1, 2007
    The Movie looks good. Can't wait to see it. I red the book a few years ago and the book was definitely a great read. As with most movies based on books the storyline was changed slightly.

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Martian Child Trivia


  • What is the name given to Somewhere by Dennis in Martian Child?  Answer »
  • What name does Dennis give to the dog in Martian Child?  Answer »
  • In which movie does John Cusack say the line, "You're just a freaky little dude, man!"?  Answer »
  • How did David Gordan find his escape in Martian Child ?  Answer »

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