Martian Child (2007)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Menno Meyjes

Writers (WGA):

Seth Bass (screenplay) &
Jonathan Tolins (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

2 November 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family

Tagline:

The story of a man becoming a father...and a boy becoming a son.

Plot:

A science-fiction writer, recently widowed, considers whether to adopt a hyper-imaginative 6-year-old abandoned and socially rejected boy who says he's really from Mars.

Plot Keywords:

Mars | Friend | Best Friend | Writer | Sunlight

Awards:

2 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sun. July 12	6:00 AM	HBO
Wed. July 15	8:30 AM	HBO

Cast

John Cusack	...	David Gordon
Bobby Coleman	...	Dennis / The Martian Child
Amanda Peet	...	Harlee
Sophie Okonedo	...	Sophie
Joan Cusack	...	Liz
Oliver Platt	...	Jeff
Bud	...	Somewhere / Flomar
Richard Schiff	...	Mr. Lefkowitz
Taya Calicetto	...	Esther
David Kaye	...	Andy
Braxton Bonneville	...	Nicholas
Samuel Charles	...	Jonas
Zak Ludwig	...	Young David
Samuel Patrick Chu	...	Boy at Group Home
Ryan Morrissette	...	Boy at Group Home
Nimet Kanji	...	Housekeeper
Howard Hesseman	...	Dr. Berg
Carmen Moore	...	Miss Margie
Beverley Breuer	...	Mrs. Tompkins
Jonathan Holmes	...	Dracoban Director
Andrew McIlroy	...	Earl of Dracoban
Kimani Ray Smith	...	Draconian Warrior
Peter Bryant	...	Policeman at School
David Lewis	...	Leonard
Edmond Kato Wong	...	Linus (as Edmond Wong)
Joanna Reid	...	Cashier
Simon Hayama	...	Baseball Fan
Alberto Ghisi	...	Tough Boy at School
Hrothgar Mathews	...	Committee Member
Robert Clarke	...	Observatory Director
Daniel Pepper	...	Cop (David's House)
Angela Besharah	...	Mary in Photos
Suzy Joachim	...	Lisa (Jeff's Date at BBQ)
Anjelica Huston	...	Mimi
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Doris Berg Coleman	...	Woman in Lecture
Colin Ford	...	Various Voices (voice)
Erica Jones	...	Little girl (voice)

Directed by
Menno Meyjes

Writing credits (WGA)
Seth Bass		(screenplay) (as Seth E. Bass) &
Jonathan Tolins		(screenplay)
David Gerrold		(novel "The Martian Child")

Produced by
Seth Bass	....	co-producer (as Seth E. Bass)
Mike Drake	....	executive producer
Ed Elbert	....	producer
Toby Emmerich	....	executive producer
David Gerrold	....	executive producer
Mark Kaufman	....	executive producer
David Kirschner	....	producer
Matt Moore	....	executive producer
Luke Ryan	....	associate producer
Corey Sienega	....	producer
Jonathan Tolins	....	co-producer

Original Music by
Aaron Zigman

Cinematography by
Robert D. Yeoman		(director of photography) (as Robert Yeoman)

Film Editing by
Bruce Green

Casting by
Mary Gail Artz

Production Design by
Hugo Luczyc-Wyhowski

Art Direction by
Gwendolyn Margetson

Set Decoration by
Andrea French

Costume Design by
Michael Dennison

Makeup Department
Angelina P. Cameron	....	key hair stylist (as Angelina Cameron)
Stan Edmonds	....	key makeup artist
Rosemarie Harrison	....	assistant hair stylist
Connie Parker	....	key makeup artist: additional photography
Wendy Snowdon	....	assistant makeup artist
Denise Wynbrandt	....	hair stylist: Mr. Cusack
Denise Wynbrandt	....	makeup artist: Mr. Cusack
Tannis Hegan	....	special makeup effects artist (uncredited)
Bill Terezakis	....	masks: Rastobanian alien (uncredited)
Maureen Terezakis	....	makeup effects producer (uncredited)
Vince Yoshida	....	special makeup effects artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Jan Foster	....	unit production manager: additional photography
Erik Holmberg	....	executive in charge of production
Rick Reynolds	....	post-production supervisor
Fran Rosati	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
James Bitonti	....	second assistant director (as James A. Bitonti)
Jim Brebner	....	first assistant director
Justin Elsworth	....	trainee assistant director
Greg Fawcett	....	first assistant director: second unit
Alleris Gillham	....	trainee assistant director
Patrice Leung	....	first assistant director: additional photography
Michael Pohorly	....	third assistant director
Tracey Poirier	....	second assistant director: additional photography
Shannon Pratt	....	third assistant director
Jane Talbot	....	third assistant director: second unit
Fiona Winning	....	second assistant director: second unit
Warren Dean Fulton	....	trainee assistant director: second unit (uncredited)
Paula S. Kyan	....	third assistant director: additional photography (uncredited)

Art Department
Sandra Baier	....	props assistant
Chris Beach	....	assistant art director
Trevor Cole	....	set dresser
Jean-Paul Costaz	....	paint coordinator
Arlene Craig	....	property master: second unit
Arlene Craig	....	props buyer
John Crockett	....	general foreman
Rod Duval	....	leadman: setup
Dave Emmonds	....	head greensman
Phil Gough	....	assistant property master
Salmon Harris	....	storyboard artist
Randal Holden	....	lead carpenter (as Randy Holden)
Steve Houle	....	on-set dresser (as Steve 'Frosty' Houle)
Mark Howes	....	lead dresser
Terry Joseph	....	assistant set decorator
Janis Lee	....	scenic artist
Rohan Lyal	....	lead greens
Marko Lytviak	....	construction coordinator: additional photography
Mike McCarthy	....	construction buyer
Shayne McGreal	....	lead painter
Jerry McLaughlin	....	scenic artist
Sheila Millar	....	assistant art director
Andy Nieman	....	property master (as Andreas Nieman)
Claudio Palavecino	....	assistant property master
Andy Patton	....	art department production assistant
Ted Polkinghorne	....	paint foreman
Myron Ruth	....	set buyer
Sabine Schoppel	....	art department coordinator
Slava Shmakin	....	graphic designer
Sandra Smolski	....	set buyer
Peter Stoffels	....	set dresser
Dave Tennant	....	on-set greens (as Dave Tenant)
Chris Thompson	....	construction coordinator
Rena Van Steele	....	stand-by painter
John Watts	....	assistant property master
Chris Wills	....	on-set carpenter
Michael N. Wong	....	art director: additional photography (as Michael Wong)
Kumvana Gomani	....	draftsperson (uncredited)
Daniel Scarcello	....	head sculptor (uncredited)

Sound Department
Donald D. Brown	....	boom operator: additional photography (as Don Brown)
Matthew T. Duncan	....	sound recordist (as Mat Duncan)
Brian Dunlop	....	assistant sound editor
Christopher Eakins	....	sound effects editor (as Chris Eakins)
David Esparza	....	sound effects editor
Marshall Garlington	....	sound re-recording mixer
Avram D. Gold	....	adr editor (as Avram Gold)
Robert Jackson	....	supervising sound editor (as Robert C. Jackson)
Shawn Kennelly	....	foley mixer
Martin Lacroix	....	boom operator
Laura Macias	....	foley artist
Michael McGee	....	sound mixer: additional photography
Michael A. Morongell	....	sound mix engineer (as Michael Morongell)
Vince Nicastro	....	foley artist (as Vincent Nicastro)
Martin Schloemer	....	sound recordist
Leslie Shatz	....	sound re-recording mixer
Greg Steele	....	adr mixer
Eric Thompson	....	adr mixer
William Unrau	....	cable person
Michael T. Williamson	....	sound mixer (as Michael Williamson)
Mandell Winter	....	foley editor
Travis MacKay	....	adr recordist (uncredited)
Chris Navarro	....	adr recordist (uncredited)
Lisa Varetakis	....	supervising foley editor (uncredited)
Greg Zimmerman	....	adr recordist (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Jeffrey Butterworth	....	special effects first assistant (as Jeff Butterworth)
Kurt Jackson	....	special effects set supervisor
David Paller	....	special effects assistant (as Dave Paller)
Gary Paller	....	special effects coordinator
David Booth	....	film recording (uncredited)
Amanda Paller	....	special effects assistant (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Carlos Arguello	....	matte painter: Hammerhead Productions
Thad Beier	....	visual effects technical supervisor: Hammerhead Productions
Aaron Benoit	....	title designer
Daniel Chuba	....	visual effects executive producer: Hammerhead Productions (as Dan Chuba_)
Thomas Dadras	....	digital compositor: Hammerhead Productions
Michelle Eisenreich	....	visual effects producer: Hammerhead
Theresa Ellis	....	visual effects supervisor: Hammerhead Productions (as Theresa Ellis Rygiel)
Justin Jones	....	digital compositor: Hammerhead Productions
Mimi Medel	....	visual effects executive
Aung Min	....	modeling and texturing: Hammerhead Productions
Paolo Moscatelli	....	digital effects supervisor: Hammerhead Productions
Lauren Ritchie	....	executive in charge of visual effects
Alastor Arnold	....	digital intermediate editor (uncredited)
Brady Doyle	....	visual effects coordinator: Hammerhead (uncredited)
Jennifer Law-Stump	....	digital effects artist: Pacific Title Digital (uncredited)
Mamie McCall	....	animator (uncredited)
Tony Meister	....	main title designer (uncredited)

Stunts
Guy Bews	....	stunt driver
Wyatt Cameron	....	stunt double: Bobby Coleman
Yves Cameron	....	stunts
Brett Chan	....	stunts
Douglas Chapman	....	stunts (as Doug Chapman)
Lauro Chartrand	....	stunt coordinator
Dean Choe	....	additional stunt coordinator
Austin Dunn	....	stunt double: Bobby Coleman
Tom Glass	....	stunts
Ron James	....	stunts (as Ronnie James)
Michael Langlois	....	stunts (as Mike Langlois)
Brad Loree	....	stunt double: John Cusack
David Mylrea	....	stunts
Shawn C. Orr	....	stunts (as Shawn Orr)
Rick Pearce	....	stunts
Nick Powell	....	stunts
Jeff Sanca	....	stunts
Chad Sayn	....	assistant stunt coordinator
Kimani Ray Smith	....	stunts
Melissa R. Stubbs	....	stunts (as Melissa Stubbs)
Angela Uyeda	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Artino Ahmadi	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera, additional photography
Chris Anderson	....	rigging grip
Ray Arseneau	....	rigging grip
Cameron Beck	....	best boy rigging grip
Rob Brady	....	lighting technician: additional photography
Bill Buckingham	....	rigging grip
David Cameron	....	second grip (as Dave Cameron)
Che Chomolok	....	best boy grip
John Clothier	....	camera operator: "a" camera, additional photography
Gavin B. Craig	....	grip (as Gavin Craig)
Gavin B. Craig	....	key grip: second unit (as Gavin Craig)
Anthony Creery	....	dolly grip: "b" camera
Anthony Creery	....	dolly grip: second unit
Drew Davidson	....	gaffer: additional photography
Herb DeWaal	....	key rigging grip
John Dines	....	generator operator
Amie Gibbins	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera
Stephen Goad	....	rigging gaffer (as Steve Goad)
Robin Hall	....	lamp operator
Simon Hall	....	video playback technician
Chris Kempinski	....	best boy rigging lighting
Mike Kirilenko	....	key grip
Jenny Madsen	....	second assistant camera: "b" camera
Jenny Madsen	....	second assistant camera: "b" camera, second unit
Alan Markfield	....	still photographer
Neil McBean	....	video playback operator
Blair McDonald	....	gaffer: second unit
Blair McDonald	....	lamp operator
Chris Meakes	....	gaffer
Robyn Moore	....	camera trainee
Jay Norton	....	best boy grip: second unit
Michael Potts	....	video coordinator
Ian Seabrook	....	first assistant camera: Steadicam
Ian Seabrook	....	underwater camera operator
Pawel Sedzimir	....	rigging lamp operator
Jonathan Sela	....	director of photography: additional photography
Paul Sheridan	....	dolly grip: "a" camera
Patrick Stepien	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera
Ed Turner	....	best boy lighting (as Eddie Turner)
Jim Van Dijk	....	Steadicam operator
Jim Van Dijk	....	camera operator: "a" camera
Jim Van Dijk	....	camera operator: "a" camera, second unit
Jim Van Dijk	....	director of photography: second unit
A.J. Vesak	....	camera operator: Wescam, aerial unit
A.J. Vesak	....	cinematographer: aerial unit
Steven J. Winslow	....	camera technician: Wescam, aerial unit (as Steve Winslow)
Keith Woods	....	rigging gaffer: additional photography
David Kohler	....	lamp operator (uncredited)
David Langtry	....	video assistant (uncredited)
Steve McGuire	....	rigging grip (uncredited)

Casting Department
Stuart Aikins	....	casting: Canada
Elisa Bayley	....	casting assistant: Canada
Sean Cossey	....	casting: Canada
Amy De Souza	....	casting assistant
James Forsyth	....	extras casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Andre Brouwer	....	costumer: extras (as André Brouwer)
Judith Feller	....	costumer: truck
Alison Fraser	....	assistant costume designer
Michelle Hunter	....	costume supervisor
Susan O'Hara	....	costume set supervisor
Susan O'Hara	....	set costume supervisor
Paula Plachy	....	costumer: prep
Heather Rupert	....	costume breakdown/dyer
Luisa Dalmagro	....	set costumer (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Brett Adkins	....	editorial production assistant
Vern Giammartino	....	editorial intern
Vern Giammartino	....	editorial production assistant
Justin C. Green	....	additional editor
Mato	....	color timer
John Nicolard	....	digital intermediate supervisor
Davis Reynolds	....	first assistant editor
Bill Schultz	....	general manager: Digital Film Services
Shelly Theaker	....	assistant editor
Nicholas 'Nikko' Tsiotsias	....	assistant editor (as Nikko Tsiotsias)
Walter Volpatto	....	digital intermediate artist
Jen Woodhouse	....	editorial production assistant
Harry Muller	....	color timer (uncredited)
Leroy Wolf	....	color timer (uncredited)

Music Department
Bob Bowen	....	music executive
Paul Broucek	....	executive in charge of music: New Line
Johnny Caruso	....	music editor
Sandy DeCrescent	....	music contractor
George Doering	....	musician: additional guitar solos
Jessica Dolinger	....	music clearance
Jerry Hey	....	orchestrator
Steve Juliani	....	music preparation
Larry Mah	....	score ProTools operator
Chuck Martin	....	music editor: temp music
Peter Rotter	....	music contractor
Dennis S. Sands	....	score mixer (as Dennis Sands)
Dennis S. Sands	....	score recordist (as Dennis Sands)
Lori Silfen	....	music business affairs executive
Curt Sobel	....	music editor: temp music
Michael Stern	....	additional score recordist
Jesse Voccia	....	additional orchestrator
Jesse Voccia	....	electronic music programmer
John F.X. Walsh	....	music business affairs executive
Aaron Zigman	....	orchestrator

Transportation Department
Al Baxter	....	driver
Rodney Beech	....	driver (as Rod Beech)
Bob Black	....	driver
Larry Boyce	....	driver
Duncan Callander	....	driver
Steve Cant	....	driver
Dwayne Deverill	....	driver (as Dwayne Deverille)
Bill Doherty	....	driver
Ed Dykstra	....	driver
Jim Forrest	....	driver
Rick Harasyn	....	driver
Barry Hendricks	....	driver
Dennis Houser	....	transportation coordinator
Michael Huntley	....	transportation co-captain
Ron James	....	driver
Con Lynch	....	driver
Philip Murphy	....	driver
Karl 'OJ' Ojamae	....	driver (as Karl Ojamae)
John G. Oliver	....	transportation captain (as John Oliver)
Charles Pinkus	....	driver (as Charlie Pinkus)
Stan Stefaniuk	....	driver
Dan Thorn	....	driver
Gary Wilson	....	driver
Larry Tardif	....	driver: insert car (uncredited)

Other crew
Rashid Ahmed	....	payroll
Sheila Allen	....	production accountant
Aaron Benoit	....	designer: main title
Tammy Bentz	....	script supervisor: second unit (as Tammy Benz)
Katherine E. Beyda	....	production executive
James Bitonti	....	choreographer: baseball sequence (as James A. Bitonti)
Judy Blinick	....	post-production accountant
Barbara Branch	....	first assistant accountant
Crystal Braunwarth	....	assistant to producers
Don Britt	....	security
Charlene Callihoo	....	first assistant accountant
Kathy Candiago	....	accounting clerk (as Kathy Eyre Candiago)
Laurie Cartwright	....	risk management
Simon Cassels	....	title designer
Jody Chow	....	assistant production coordinator
Ann Marie Clark	....	script supervisor: additional photography (as Anne-Marie Clark)
Katherine Cook	....	tutor
Jon Davidson	....	production controller
Matt Dawson	....	chef: Edible Planet Catering on Location
Robert Dawson	....	title designer
Heather Douglas	....	assistant: Mr. Meyjes
Terry Edinger	....	production accountant: additional photography
Jeff Egan	....	production safety
Cathryn Eilertson	....	assistant chef: Edible Planet Catering on Location (as Catherine Eilertsen)
Erik Ellner	....	business affairs executive
Jim Filippone	....	aerial coordinator: aerial unit
Sarah Follett	....	assistant: Mr. Meyjes
Julia Frittaion	....	unit publicist
Tanya Gibson	....	assistant chef: Edible Planet Catering on Location
Emily Glatter	....	supervising production coordinator
Lorin Green	....	contract administrator
Ed Hatton	....	clearance coordinator
Spencer Hyde	....	craft service: second unit
Spencer Hyde	....	extras craft service
Spencer Hyde	....	first aid: second unit
Wendy Jessen	....	helicopter ground safety
Jeane Kidd	....	security
Marilyn Kopansky	....	chef: Edible Planet Catering on Location
Carol Korm	....	on-set background coordinator
Ashley Kravitz	....	rights and clearances
Jamie Lake	....	assistant location manager
Susan Lambie	....	script supervisor
Viktoria Langton	....	choreographer: Martian Dance
Andrew Matthews	....	executive in charge of film investment
Keli Moore	....	production office assistant (as Keli A. Moore)
Graeme Morgan	....	production assistant
Ian Overend	....	location manager
Sandra Palmer	....	production coordinator
Paul Prokop	....	executive in charge of finance
Joshua Ravetch	....	production resources
Neil Robertson	....	location manager
Julianna Rose	....	voices
Julianna Selfridge	....	risk management (as Juliana Selfridge)
Ingrid Severson	....	assistant chef: Edible Planet Catering on Location
Nick Shaheen	....	assistant: Mr. Kirschner and Ms. Sienega
Tracey Shelley-Lavery	....	tutor (as Tracey Shelley)
Rhonda Simpson	....	craft service assistant (as Ronda Simpson)
Carol Smithson	....	production attorney
Susan Strubin	....	craft service
Susan Strubin	....	first aid
Chris Thoma	....	assistant location manager (as Christian Thoma)
Lee Tucker	....	preview technical supervisor
Jack Veldhuis	....	trainee assistant location manager
Rhona Williscroft	....	assistant production coordinator
Peter Wilson	....	stand-in: David
Jeff Wonnenberg	....	production office assistant
Steve Woodley	....	animal trainer
Dave Wynnyk	....	security
Marni Wynnyk	....	security (as Marnie Wynnyk)
Richard Wynnyk	....	security (as Rick Wynnyk)
Evan Allen	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Eunice Choi	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Justin Elsworth	....	key production assistant (uncredited)
Warren Dean Fulton	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Kimball Jansma	....	location manager (uncredited)
Aurelie Levy	....	assistant: John Cusack (uncredited)
Nathan Lomax	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Alison Low	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Ryan Mains	....	production assistant: re-shoots (uncredited)
Ryan Miningham	....	assistant: New Line Cinema (uncredited)
Dixie Plaxton	....	location scout (uncredited)
Mike Witherington	....	production assistant (uncredited)

Thanks
Jerry Zucker	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• New Line Cinema (presents)
• Hannah Rachel Production Services
• MERADIN Zweite Productions

Distributors

• New Line Cinema (2007) (USA) (all media)
• ARM Distribution (2008) (Taiwan) (all media)
• Bazuca Films (2008) (Chile) (all media)
• Distribution Company (2007) (Argentina) (all media)
• FS Film Oy (2008) (Finland) (all media)
• Fox-Warner (2007) (Switzerland) (DVD)
• Independent Films (2007) (Netherlands) (all media)
• Metropolitan Filmexport (2008) (France) (all media)
• Warner Bros. (2007) (Germany) (all media)
• Warner Bros. (2007) (Singapore) (all media)
• Warner Home Video (2008) (Netherlands) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Hammerhead Productions (visual effects)
• Pacific Title and Art Studio (additional visual effects)

Other Companies

• AON/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services  insurance
• All Axis Remote Systems  scorpio remote heads (as All Axis Remote Camera Systems)
• Amazon.com  special thanks
• Artz/Cohen Casting  casting (uncredited)
• Cast & Crew Entertainment Services  payroll (as Cast and Crew Entertainment Services)
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  cranes
• Edible Planet Catering  catering
• FotoKem Film and Video  digital intermediate
• Geo Film  libra IV remote head system
• Hollywood Studio Symphony  orchestra
• Huyghe Weakes Illuminations  electric equipment
• Panavision Canada  cameras
• Pictorvision  Wescam system
• RD Negative Cutting  negative cutting
• Scarlet Letters  end title crawl
• Solid Motion  telejib
• Sony Classical  soundtrack (uncredited)
• Sony Pictures Studios  score recorded at
• Steven Juliani Preparation  music preparation (as Steve Juliani Music)
• Strada Unlimited  cranes
• Telescopic Camera Crane  cranes
• Video Split Productions  video assist equipment (uncredited)
• William F. White International  grip equipment
• Wilshire Stages, The  post-production sound services

MPAA:

Rated PG ror thematic elements and mild language (theatrical); for thematic elements. (video)

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Germany:6 | Canada:G (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Quebec) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | USA:PG (certificate #42287) | South Africa:PG | South Korea:All | USA:PG | Malaysia:U | Finland:K-7 | Singapore:PG | Argentina:Atp | Taiwan:GP | Australia:M | Australia:PG (DVD rating) | New Zealand:PG | Netherlands:6

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

New Line Cinema

Trivia:

The name of Joan Cusack's character (Liz) is the same one as of her character in High Fidelity (2000), which also features her brother John Cusack in the lead role.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: While David and Dennis are in the car during the daytime, you see the rigging for the camera equipment visible when they pass a reflective building.

Quotes:

David: Just as a point of interest, what made you think I'd be a good match for a boy who spends most of his time in a box?
Sophie: He thinks he's from another planet.

Movie Connections:

References The Sound of Music (1965)

Soundtrack:

Mr. Blue Sky

Martian Child: are we all strangers in a strange land?

What would be different about a child from the planet Mars than one born on Earth? No one knows, since for all practical reasons no one has ever meet a Martian Baby. David (John Cusack) a widowed science fiction writer, with writer's block decides to find out, by adopting an unwanted boy. The boy, Dennis, (Bobby Coleman) outwardly acts as if he is a child from our closest celestial neighbor, the planet Mars. David and Dennis appear well suited for each other because they are both living apart from society. David does so by living alone and writing science fiction novels up until the present time of his wife's death, now he is just alone. Dennis, avoids contact with everyone by taking on the guise of the child from Mars, an alien, a stranger, who acts differently than the norm, and therefore society avoids confrontation with what is unusual. This screenplay is adult in nature because it deals with issues that are unpleasant and upsetting. Taking on the responsibility of rearing an unwanted child, alone, having never actually been a parent, and never knowing if the love you give is going to be returned is a huge step! This is a film that will be appreciated by a very small audience. One must first be able to get past self indulgence and reach a certain level of maturity before one can consider taking on the total responsibility of another life form. Director Menno Meyies has created a very strong bond between David and Dennis in their scenes throughout his film. Unfortunately most of the people on this planet will never see their performances. Go out of your way, go alone if you must, but go see the Martian Child. If you are a parent it will remind you of raising your own children, if you are not yet a parent it will remind you of the childhood you had and the experience of raising your own Martian Child yet to come!