Successful science fiction writer David Gordon (John Cusack) still grieves for the loss of his wife two years earlier. The pair had longed to adopt a child into their family as David’s late spouse was an orphan herself, and now the writer is starting to think he’s finally in a good enough emotional place in his life he can carry out this wish.

Bobby Coleman and Joihn Cusack in New Line Cinema's Martian Child

Despite some misgivings of his own, and ignoring the advice of his sister Liz (Joan Cusack), under the guidance of children’s group home director Sophie (Sophie Okonedo) David is drawn to an odd loner of a child named Dennis (Bobby Coleman) who believes himself to be from outer space. Undaunted, the adult who dabbles in fantasy decides to take a chance and become a father of a child who might be living inside of one which, in spite all of the risks and the naysayer’s, makes perfect sense to him.

But parenting is much harder and far more emotionally taxing then David ever expected, even with his sister’s warnings. More, Dennis’ behavior is causing problems interfering both with school and with the writing of his latest novel, the fact of which is driving his nervous agent Jeff (Oliver Platt) nuts. Yet the author is undaunted, and with the help of best friend Harlee (Amanda Peet) he’s determined to be the father this remarkable little boy has always longed for.

Based on the award-winning short story by David Gerrold, the new sci-fi drama Martian Child is a warmhearted winner dripping in emotional resonance. Director Menno Meyjes (Max) has done a wonderful job of fleshing out and expanding the tale adding plenty of quirky subtleties making it a constantly endearing wonder. This is a movie the whole family will, not only enjoy, but probably downright love, the boisterous applause from the preview audience I saw it with ample proof of that.

Not that I completely agreed with their response. As nice a job as Meyjes does here, he still doesn’t keep the treacle completely out of things. There are a couple of moments of such syrupy melodrama I couldn’t help but feel a bit annoyed, the plot bits revolving around a cantankerous child services worker (ably played by a supremely typecast Richard Schiff) so hackneyed and unfocused they’re borderline annoying. I also wasn’t a huge fan of a climatic montage showing how Dennis (and his story) has affected the people he’s come in contact with, a bit with David’s teary-eyed publisher reading his latest novel especially silly.

Yet the thing that really keeps Martian Child from being truly wonderful is composer Aaron Zigman’s (The Jane Austen Book Club) horrifically insipid score. The music here is as heavy-handed and as obnoxious as any I’ve ever heard, telegraphing nearly every emotional beat and traumatic character arc so unrelentingly I kept wishing someone would just turn the darn thing off. On its own I am quite sure Zigman’s work would be quite lovely but that’s not how things are usually done where it comes to film scores, its usage here so overblown and noxious it nearly sabotages the entire picture all on its lonesome.

Thankfully this doesn’t happen (but it does come uncomfortably close), and much of the thanks for this fact has to be laid at the feet of Meyjes’ winning cast. As good as all of them are (and, by and large, everyone is borderline great), it is the chemistry between Cusack and Coleman that ultimately makes this film click. These two are great together, the steps each one takes towards father-son camaraderie and trust believable and true. I loved how genuine this relationship was, how much it grew and evolved as things inched closer and closer to their mysterious otherworldly conclusions. 

Because of this (and due in large parts to Meyjes’ ability to – horrific score aside – keep the melodrama from beating viewers over the head) I liked Martian Child, at times liked it one heck of a lot. The film is a wonderful testament to the power of hope and of familial love, and every time I start to think of the wondrously affecting climax I can’t help but smile. This is a good movie and one I hope a lot of people take the time to go and see.

Film Rating: êê1/2  (out of 4)

Additional Links:

-  Martian Child Theatrical Trailer