Martian Child Reviews

Martian Child is a film starring John Cusack as a science fiction writer who adopts a troubled young boy (Bobby Coleman) who believes he's from Mars. The two bond over their respective alienation from the outside world. Joan Cusack, in the sister role, lends a voice of reason, and Amanda Peet plays the beautiful girlfriend.

The critics were mixed, but the consensus seems to be that while Cusack and Coleman have chemistry, the sentimentality of the story weighs heavily on the film. Rotten Tomatoes gives it a freshness rating of just 29% while Metacritic's compilation of reviews scores it 48 out of 100.

Fast Facts

1. Director: Menno Meyjes
2. Release date: October 26, 2007
3. DVD release date: February 12, 2008
4. Starring: John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Joan Cusack, Bobby Coleman
5. Distributor: New Line Cinema
6. Based on the award-winning novel by science-fiction writer David Gerrod
7. Box Office: $7,486,906
8. Metacritic: 48 out of 100
9. Metacritic Users: 7.9 out of 10
10. Rotten Tomatoes freshness rating: 29%

Martian Child Review Excerpts

• "But pic should satisfy those seeking warm-and-fuzzy holiday fare with a couple eminently empathetic actors" --Variety

• "Their unpredictable interactions infuse the proceedings with an immediacy that helps sell the overly pointed lessons of the script." --Hollywood Reporter

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