Martian Child

Martian Child

I watched the movie, Martian Child, this Monday. It was a heart-touching story featuring a remarkable love between a widowed science fiction writer, David and a weird kid, Dennis, who considered himself as a Martian.

The following is the summary abstracted from http://www.reelviews.net/movies/m/martian_child.html
David (John Cusack) has been a widower for two years. A successful science fiction novelist, David has never been fully able to adapt to his wife's death. Now, despite advice to the contrary from his sister, Liz (Joan Cusack), he's considering adopting a child. Sophie (Sophie Okonedo), a friend who works at an orphanage, has "the perfect child" for David: Dennis (Bobby Coleman), a cute young boy who believes he's a visitor from the planet Mars. During the day, he hides in a box because the sun bothers him. He never goes anywhere without his "gravity belt" and a video game that he claims to be more than entertainment. After bringing Dennis home, David discovers that connecting with a child is more difficult than he expected, and love may not be enough to get them through the tough times, especially when the doctors wonder about Dennis' competence to care for someone as "special" as Dennis.

Reflection
On the Internet, critics’ opinions to this film weren’t very good. They thought that it was too artificial and lack of creativity. However, as an ordinary audience, I did weep several times as the director expected. Maybe I cried because the movie made me think of my own childhood.When I was a kid, I was considered sort of a weirdo. I wasn’t very socialized, and living in my own imaginary world. I didn’t communicate with other kids. ( if my imaginary friends don’t count) Therefore, I could totally understand the fear of Dennis to reach the reality. Now, as an outgoing 18-year-old teenager, I have more confidence in myself when meeting people. I understand better how to react normally, and showing myself if appropriate. However, I kind of miss the old me, who is so weird but also so unique. In the movie Dennis asked a very inspiring question: “Is it good to be like everyone else?” David couldn’t answer it, and neither did I. The simplest question in the world may be the most difficult one to solve. All I know is that being like other people and you can live more easily without having to explain yourself all the time. However, everyone envies people who dare to walk their extraordinary roads. Managing to find a balance between socializing and uniqueness is the toughest problem I face, and maybe the world really leaves me no choice.