The Phoenix Network:
 
 
 
About  |  Advertise
 
Movies
Features  |  Reviews
-->

Martian Child

Get out your hankies
By ROB NELSON  |  October 31, 2007
3.0 3.0 Stars

VIDEO: Watch the trailer for Martian Child.

John Cusack has held up well for a man in his third decade of Hollywood hustling. Nevertheless, between the forthcoming war-at-home weepie Grace Is Gone and this vastly superior tale of a widowed sci-fi novelist who dares to adopt a “freaky little dude,” the former Lloyd Dobler appears determined to play every wobbly note of the early middle-age blues. Get out your hankies: even if Cusack’s grieving single dad can learn to handle the title toddler (Culkin-esque Bobby Coleman), a pale urchin who insists he’s been sent from the Red Planet, will social services (in the form of stern-faced Richard Schiff) allow these kindred fantasists to stay together? Directed by Spielberg protégé Menno Meyjes, Martian Child is contrived, but it works — only the use of Cat Stevens’s “Don’t Be Shy” feels like undue button pushing. Earnest and insightful, the movie explores familiar parental dilemmas as well as the particular challenge of communicating unconditional love to an orphan.
Related:
  Topics: Reviews , John Cusack , Movies , Entertainment ,  More more >
  • Share:
  • RSS feed Rss
  • Email this article to a friend Email
  • Print this article Print
Comments

Today's Event Picks
Plus 2 more >>
ARTICLES BY ROB NELSON
Share this entry with Delicious
  •   CONSTANTINE'S SWORD  |  May 28, 2008
    At once depressing and exhilarating
  •   SON OF RAMBOW  |  May 07, 2008
    A pint-sized Be Kind Rewind
  •   MY BLUEBERRY NIGHTS  |  April 16, 2008
    Sexy but emotionally failing
  •   IRANIAN CHICK  |  January 10, 2008
    An interview with Persepolis creator Marjane Satrapi
  •   HE’S HERE!  |  November 20, 2007
    Todd Haynes talks about his Dylan movie

 See all articles by: ROB NELSON

MOST POPULAR
RSS Feed of for the most popular articles
 Most Viewed   Most Emailed 
HOT TOPICS
 More Topics . . .
LATEST SLIDESHOWS

All Slideshows



Friday, January 09, 2009  |  Sign In  |  Register
 
thePhoenix.com:
Phoenix Media/Communications Group:
TODAY'S FEATURED ADVERTISERS
Copyright © 2009 The Phoenix Media/Communications Group