reebokpercent No, it's not a fantasy movie as some of you may think judging by the title. On the contrary, it's extremely realistic. Child upbringing is an eternal issue that has always bothered great and small minds of the world. And as a two-sided process it fails when one of the sides stops functioning. That what happens with Dennis (Bobby Coleman), the 6-year-old boy who lost his parents and became a lonely, unsocialized orphan with a firm conviction that he is a Martian. And who knows, by coincidence or by the hand of God, he is adopted by a newly-made widower David (John Cusack), who still can't get over his loss and who turns out to be a successful science fiction writer. So David faces a complicated mission: to introduce the alien boy to the environment of our planet, showing him that except "Lucky Charms" it has many other charms around and that living here abiding by small rules is not a big deal. Looks like an ordinary task for each decent parent, doesn't it?Witnessing the process brings you aesthetic pleasure. John Cusack looks here perfectly persuasive performing a totally inexperienced parent. But his quotations tend to be proverbs, so wise and philosophic they are! And actually he demonstrates a good example for all parents, so the movie can easily become a manual on child upbringing. You don't need to transform your child's nature drastically by prohibitions or punishments if he doesn't look like other normal children. Just remember that all troubles and fears come from ignorance! No child comes here skilled and educated. So, explain everything, give some freedom in reasonable amounts, open your own mind for a different view and discover this world again together with your little curious explorer. And the most admirable thing in David is that, despite of all prejudices and warnings, he has no thought of returning this 'extraterrestrial creature' back to the foster home. But, of course, the hardest thing for David was to persuade his little head-shaker that not all parents disappear without a trace and that he will never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever abandon him.MARTIAN CHILD should be certainly viewed by parents, by those who are planning to become parents and by everyone who has something to do with children. It offers you thought-provoking dialogues and touching scenes which will leave nobody indifferent, besides it gives you helpful advice: "Don't be afraid to find your child a little Martian, because it is the only time he can afford it".

lullaby-84090 The movie "A Martian Child" is valuable primarily for the fact that it touches the problem of an unusual and orphan child in quite a "popular" manner. But does it really reveal the problem?The boy is not like other children, but does he need a parent? He is quite in harmony with his own vision of the world. It is an adult, who, seeing a part of "himself" in this child, wants to influence his life and change it for the better. It is a movie about the world of a disappointed adult rather than a troublesome child. I don't know why but the final phrases of a child "Why did they leave me?" do not look convincing. I don't see a cause-and-effect connection between abandoning this child and his having an unusual curiosity about the world around him. Some other remarks and dialogues in the movie seem trivial and even a bit comic. Female characters are absolutely stereotyped and highly "exalted" in their attitude to this child ranging from absolute disregard to groundless adoration. They do not seem genuine and deep enough to see what this child really feels and needs. The main character is a bit more convincing. But what this movie lacks is a deeper conflict and a deeper immersion in the world of such a child and such an adult. "Just be yourself!" is one of the most useless things that people may advise you. As for this movie, it seems to be intended for an average person who has never happened to see or experience anything like this in his or her life. Though, I want to thank the filmmakers for the job they did. At least it will be helpful for those who prefer to see simple and melodramatic stories without too much of genuineness.

evseeva_j Saying on the spot - I loved every minute of this heart-melting film.'Martian Child' is a story about a widowed science-fiction writer David (John Cusack) who adopts Dennis (Bobby Coleman), a 6-year-old boy who believes himself to be from Mars. Why does he think so? Because it allows him to convince himself that his parents didn't leave him - he just never had them. It is an intelligent movie that touches upon an important topic - being different from others. Since childhood we are taught that if we are not like others, if we don't follow the accepted rules and norms of the society, then we will be considered to be bizarre or even insane and we will be shunned. David had such experience and because of that he feels that a Martian boy, called 'a weirdo' and hiding in the box, is his soulmate. Step by step David helps Dennis leave that box (literally and metaphorically) and open his heart to love and trust. It is not easy, of course, but he manages to do it. No, not he. THEY. They do it together. And, finally, Dennis comes down to earth and accepts the bitter truth which culminates in his question, 'Why did they leave me?' and the whole scene on the roof. This scene is the goal the creators of the film went to, having decided to explore such a difficult topic. This scene is a revelation. For the first time during the whole film both David and Dennis are completely open to and defenseless against each other. The wall that Danny built in an attempt to hide from the rest of the world finally tumbles down, and David breaks through it. For me the message of this film is the following: no matter how strange or different from others you are, as long as you have people who love and accept you for who you are, who stand by you through anything, you can move mountains. +1 to the list of my favourite films. P.S. I liked that there is balance in this movie between the moments that make you smile and laugh (for example, the scene of breaking plates and spraying ketchup) and the moments that make you cry as if never again in your life will you have such an opportunity (the scene on the roof).

kirichenko_elena First of all, I liked the soundtrack Guster - "Satellite", playing during the Martian dance of David and Dennis. Whatever they say about the excessive simplicity of the film, it touches on the eternal theme of fathers and children, and the problem of misunderstanding of society. They have to make a difficult choice: to become like everyone else or to keep their own I, while losing the people's disposition. As a result, the father and son find the right decision for themselves, love subordinates everything in the world, even the disobedient little Martian. I don't think that adults will discover here something new for themselves, but for children it will be incredibly boring. And this is far from fiction. On the contrary, the film is incredibly realistic, but it will definitely leave a mark on your soul. I liked the film. All these moments of life of the main characters are so exciting. Probably because they play very well. In the film, they show real love, real grief, and real life. This picture will be remembered for a long time.