Starring: John Cusack, Bobby Coleman, Joan Cusack, Amanda Peet

Plot: John Cusack plays a science-fiction writer who is considering adopting a six-year-old boy named Dennis. The only problem? Dennis believes he’s from Mars.

The Good: Cusack steps into a rare, emotionally gilded role that is both humanizing and honest. His role as David reinforces the versatility of Cusack’s leading-man status.

The Bad: The movie is generally slow-paced and may be too emotional for those cynical viewers.

The Lowdown: Director Menno Meyjes depicts the creation of a family with this supposed “Martian” child and a self-described human “creature,” Dennis. Abandoned as an infant, Dennis uses the fantasy that he is sent to Earth from Mars to study the human race as a coping mechanism. The movie follows the struggle David has to “humanize” Dennis and the strong familial bond that ensues from it as they move from just living together to becoming a real family.

While Cusack’s role is a memorable one, special kudos goes to Bobby Coleman’s breakthrough performance as Dennis. His convincing role as a Martian actually leaves the audience wondering whether he was actually sent to Earth on a mission. With minor roles behind him, Coleman has a promising career ahead of him.

Other noteworthy performances include Amanda Peet as Harlee and Cusack’s real-life sister Joan as his on-screen sister Liz in the film.

“Martian Child” is a great film that reinforces the strange goodness in families. It makes you smile and cry at the right moments as you would in any normal, dysfunctional family.

With Lucky Charms, sunscreen and Polaroids, “Martian Child” is a truly heartwarming, feel-good dramedy that transcends the gap between adult creatures and alien children.

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