By: debbie lynn elias
For those of you that know me or have followed my reviews for any length of time, you know how much I admire John Cusack. A diverse talent, he is consistently solid, fraught with appropriate emotion and evokes audience emotion with every performance. He wears his heart on his sleeve and ever since his breakout role as Lloyd Dobbler in “Say Anything”, indelibly imprints himself in our hearts and minds. But as good as Cusack has been in the past, it pales with his masterful performance in MARTIAN CHILD.
A very successful science fiction writer, David Gordon, has succumbed to writer’s block. Alone since his the death of his wife four years ago, much to the chagrin and consternation of his agent Jeff and particularly his publisher Mimi, David just can’t seem to kickstart his life or the sequel to his earlier bestseller, the latter of which is of more concern to Mimi thanks to an extravaganza of a launch party that has been scheduled and planned for the sequel.
At the time of his wife’s death, she wanted to adopt a child. Lamenting her loss for four years, David wonders if he shouldn’t fulfill her wish. Should he pick up where they left off and adopt? Breaking himself into the adoption mode, David goes to a local children’s home where its director suggests he might hit it off with a little seven year old. Abandoned by his parents, Dennis is a loner, preferring to spend his time hiding in a box, in his own little world, and away from the other kids; very much the way David has hidden himself away in his big mansion shutting off his friends and his own heart. Curiously, Dennis is convinced he is from Mars. Hmm. David, a science fiction author and a little boy who thinks he’s from Mars. Who says fate doesn’t play a hand in life.
Tepidly testing the waters, Dennis starts to open up to David and its not long before David knows this is the child for him. Arguing to the adoption review board what better person than a science fiction writer who uses fantasy as a means of survival and communication should have this child, David even surprises himself. Always dead set against bringing a child into this world, when it comes to Dennis, all he can say is, How do you argue against loving one that’s already here.” Even if he is from Mars. Who better than to understand Dennis’ flights of fancy? As if fighting the review board isn’t enough, David’s sister Liz, herself married with two children, plays Devil’s Advocate, insisting David doesn’t have a clue what parenthood is like, particularly when dealing with a “special” child like Dennis. Liza has no faith and no confidence in her brother. But, the board has other ideas. Seeing the logic in David’s argument, they agree to a trial adoption with the proviso that Dennis must be able to adapt to a new environment, new school and must be able to integrate and interact with others.
Going boldly where no man has gone before (after all, how many Martian children do you know), David embarks on this mission with an open heart believing and supporting Dennis whether he needs sunglasses and sunscreen because the Earth sun is too strong for his Martian body, or his penchant for only eating Lucky Charms cereal, and then constantly restocking him with film to satiate Dennis’ obsession with taking pictures. Believing himself to be on a special mission to learnt how to become human, David even lets Dennis wear his “gravity belt” to keep him from floating into the heavens. But David is also amazed by Dennis, particularly when Dennis can identify the color of M&M’s by taste or when he can predict the traffic signal colors. And of course, David must face the questioning and ridicule from his own “friends”, but for one, Harlee, over this very child he has grown to love. Herself thinking “outside the box”, Harlee not only sees the beauty of Dennis, but the beauty of David and Dennis together.
As I wrote at the outset, this is John Cusack’s Oscar moment. Touching, tear-jerking, heartfelt and joyous, as David he pulls your emotions every which way but loose, reeling you into his unique familial unit. His performance comes from his heart and it shows. But let’s talk about Bobby Coleman’s Dennis. As infectiously delightful as Haley Joel Osment in “Sixth Sense”, Bobby has you wrapped around his little finger in his first frame. I expect to see some great performances from him in the next few years. And his chemistry with Cusack? Impeccably embraceable. Used to seeing Joan Cusack playing foil to brother John, as Liz, even their brother-sister relationship soars to new heights. I love familial pairings on screen and especially these two. They sooo remind me of my own siblings, particularly my brother Ed. No, I have to swear that John and Joan were not acting through much of this film. They are so natural, so comfortable, so spontaneous. I love watching them.
But let’s take a look at some other supporting roles. A huge fave of mine, Oliver Platt is ideal as David’s agent, Jeff. Amanda Peet is a delight as the “semi New Age” Harlee while Anjelica Huston turns in another triumphant matriarchal and over-the-top role as publisher Mimi. And look for a not to be missed Howard Hesseman as Dr. Berg.
Written by Seth Bass and Jonathan Tolins based on the novella by David Gerrold, the overall premise of a being believing himself to be not of this earth was addressed and executed exceptionally well by Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges in “K-Pax” but not with the heart, conviction and tenderness here thanks to the centralization around the father/son dynamic. Impressive are the use of events and things that we take for granted but for which Dennis finds new beauty and wonder, opening our eyes in the process. While a charming and multi-layered story in itself, the acting is what takes this film into another dimension.
Menno Meyjes, the man behind the story of “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” steps behind the camera to helm MARTIAN CHILD. Not shying away from a multi-faceted emotional canvas, Meyjes moves effortlessly through this engaging deepening relationship adding appropriate little nuances to the texture, including an adorable Martian line dance. (It’s Mars. Who knew!) What I appreciate most about Meyjes handling is that he doesn’t pander to jokes and farce and retains the emotional depth of the story. Priceless.
A five hankie love story from beginning to end, this is Cusack’s Oscar gold. The film has a purity in its belief of love and acceptance. A purity that only a MARTIAN CHILD can show us.
David Gordon: John Cusack Dennis: Bobby Coleman Harlee: Amanda Peet Jeff: Oliver Platt Mimi: Anjelica Huston
Directed by Menno Meyjes. Written by Seth Bass and Jonathan Tolins based on the novella by David Gerrold. Rated PG. (108 min)
