The movie "Martian Child" with John Cusack, Bobby Coleman and Amanda Peet, was recommended to my husband and me by a family member. This family member felt the topic of adoption was handled beautifully in this movie and thought it would be a great idea for both of our daughters to watch it.
My husband and I were excited to watch the movie after such a glowing review. We've been talking about keeping an eye open for movies that have a positive message about adoption and adoptive families.
After watching the movie, I profoundly disagree with the person who made the recommendation.
I agree that the movie is heartwarming. I agree that the movie is well done, well acted, and well scripted. I would imagine that most adults would find this movie touching and thought provoking. I do not think this would be a good movie to show children who are adopted.
My perspective comes from trying my best to imagine viewing the movie from a child's point of view. Children do not have sophisticated reasoning like an adult, and will often take shortcuts in their reasoning because at their age, that is all they are capable of. For example, the title of the film is "Martian Child." The title aptly describes the main character in the film. However, would a child who is adopted feel that she/he is weird too, like the main character, just because they are both adopted?
The reason why the main character in this film is referred to as a Martian Child is because at 6 years old he has been abandoned and is old enough to know how deeply that hurts. He pretends he's from Mars in order to distance himself from others to prevent getting hurt again. It's possible that a child who was adopted when she/he was older, may find this movie encouraging. After all, there is a feel good ending.
John Cusack plays the role of the adoptive dad and does a wonderful job. He is patient and understanding of the boy, named Dennis. Despite tremendous challenges John Cusack's character remains committed and grows to love Dennis deeply. By the end of the movie it's obvious they share a very special bond.
Having said that, I don't think this movie would send a positive message about adoption to a child who was adopted at birth or soon after birth. Children adopted around the time of their birth don't typically have significant abandonment issues as children who are adopted when they are older. I think children who were adopted early in their life, would find this movie confusing and possibly disturbing.
Just because a movie has an adoption label on it, doesn't auutomatically mean it is appropriate to show your kids. Watch it yourself first, and make a decision that's best for your family.
My husband and I were excited to watch the movie after such a glowing review. We've been talking about keeping an eye open for movies that have a positive message about adoption and adoptive families.
After watching the movie, I profoundly disagree with the person who made the recommendation.
I agree that the movie is heartwarming. I agree that the movie is well done, well acted, and well scripted. I would imagine that most adults would find this movie touching and thought provoking. I do not think this would be a good movie to show children who are adopted.
My perspective comes from trying my best to imagine viewing the movie from a child's point of view. Children do not have sophisticated reasoning like an adult, and will often take shortcuts in their reasoning because at their age, that is all they are capable of. For example, the title of the film is "Martian Child." The title aptly describes the main character in the film. However, would a child who is adopted feel that she/he is weird too, like the main character, just because they are both adopted?
The reason why the main character in this film is referred to as a Martian Child is because at 6 years old he has been abandoned and is old enough to know how deeply that hurts. He pretends he's from Mars in order to distance himself from others to prevent getting hurt again. It's possible that a child who was adopted when she/he was older, may find this movie encouraging. After all, there is a feel good ending.
John Cusack plays the role of the adoptive dad and does a wonderful job. He is patient and understanding of the boy, named Dennis. Despite tremendous challenges John Cusack's character remains committed and grows to love Dennis deeply. By the end of the movie it's obvious they share a very special bond.
Having said that, I don't think this movie would send a positive message about adoption to a child who was adopted at birth or soon after birth. Children adopted around the time of their birth don't typically have significant abandonment issues as children who are adopted when they are older. I think children who were adopted early in their life, would find this movie confusing and possibly disturbing.
Just because a movie has an adoption label on it, doesn't auutomatically mean it is appropriate to show your kids. Watch it yourself first, and make a decision that's best for your family.
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