The Martian Child: An ex-gay movie

[MrVisible]

I read The Martian Child by David Gerrold earlier this year, and was completely amazed. It was the story of a gay science fiction writer who adopts a small boy who believes he's a martian. It's one of the most complex and touching portrayals of a gay protagonist I've ever read, partly because it's based on the author's own experience.

I got really excited when I heard it was going to be a movie starring John Cusack.

In the movie version that premieres this weekend, the protagonist is, of course, straight.

I don't know how they manage it, as the author's orientation was central to the story, but I'm torn between being disappointed and being outraged. You'd think by now the movie execs might be ready to try a mainstream movie with a gay protagonist. You'd think that the public might be ready for a genuinely touching story featuring a gay man that has nothing at all to do with sex; there's no sex in the book whatsoever.

If you have a chance, pick up the book. With the movie getting 29% at Rotten Tomatoes, it looks like skipping it won't be much of a sacrifice. Maybe the movie studios will learn that taking a chance on a daring movie about real people will make them more money than wimping out and giving us another bland movie about stock characters.

Maybe someday we'll get some positive gay role models on the screen.

 

[ChrizJen]

I totally agree. I have not read the book, but would be more likely to read the story than see the movie based on what you wrote.

There was a discussion the other day on Sirius OutQ (the only real reason I keep Sirius Satellite Radio! LOL) about the portrayal of LGBT people in the media. They were commenting on how we've been regressed over the past few years. We've gone from having a (relatively) good amount of positive portrayal in TV and in the movies to now having close to none. The problem is that the government has so taken over control of just about all of our media, that the interests of the people are no longer represented at all. The American people may be ready to see positive LGBT representation in movies and on TV, but the government isn't ready to let it happen.

Thanks for your commentary.

-Christal

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

Hi Mr. V!!!!! (waving, madly) am ALWAYS up for a good book -- so will definitely see if the library has it. (Not knowing the back-story, I was kinda interested in the movie from the trailer)

 

[SereneOne]

I am going to do some research myself, but the book sounds really good and I think I would like reading it. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[Ex Cast Member]

Not the first time a gay character was made straight for John Cusack. Also Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil. Probably just a coincidence.

 

[SereneOne]

Not the first time a gay character was made straight for John Cusack. Also Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil. Probably just a coincidence.

Hmmm...I never got to see that, but I want to. I wonder what happened to my post where I brought that up...