Martian Child rests upon the strength of its ensemble cast.

| Original Score: 3.0/4.0 | Sep 16, 2020

But as my lead rant would suggest, my biggest disappointment is the film's cowardice in not bringing David's gayness into the story...

| Mar 3, 2020

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.

| Nov 13, 2019

Even an engaging performance by John Cusack can't save this fluff film from being so tiresome.

| Original Score: C+ | Feb 9, 2018

| Original Score: C | Feb 18, 2012

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Nov 18, 2011

| Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 17, 2011

Directed by Spielberg protege Menno Meyjes, Martian Child is contrived, but it works.

| Apr 23, 2009

Just more middling, forgettable fare for the movie memory scrap heap.

| Original Score: 5/10 | Aug 25, 2008

John Cusack is the best and main reason to see this mediocre film about a self-confessed oddball and successful sci-fi writer David who adopts a misfit.

| Jun 18, 2008

An amusing and heartfelt exploration of the ups and downs involved when adopting a child -- in this case, one who insists he's from another planet.

| Mar 10, 2008

The things Martian Child gets right are strong enough to save this apparent glucose-spiker.

Full Review | Mar 6, 2008

Manipulative to an almost absurd degree...

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Feb 22, 2008

Though it panders shamelessly, it's not entirely unwelcome in a time when the PG movie is an endangered species. [DVD review included.]

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Feb 3, 2008

What works is Cusack and Coleman. When they are on screen together something interesting always seems to happen.

| Original Score: C+ | Dec 10, 2007

The credits state that Martian Child stars John Cusack, Amanda Peet and Joan Cusack, but really, it stars Lucky Charms, M&M's and Amazon.com.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Nov 18, 2007

The entire cast is fully committed to this squishily sentimental tale, which is especially impressive given that it's the kind of generic dramedy you'll swear you've seen a thousand times before.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Nov 17, 2007

Cusack seems determined to make this work, and contributes some nice scenes. But he's better than the movie around him.

Full Review | Original Score: C | Nov 17, 2007

Martian Child would be a Lifetime Movie of the Week without the Cusacks

| Nov 15, 2007

While David imagines other worlds for profit, Martian Child crash-lands on this one.

Full Review | Nov 14, 2007