This film sees everybody play to the public's perception of them. So we get John Cusack as a lonely, dry and sarcastic sci-fi writer. No risks being taken there. Amanda Peet turns up as a kooky friend - no risks being taken there either.

And while familiarity is great, it doesn't always means your film will be good, let alone a hit.

That sums up this film. Comfortable enough, easy going enough to be enjoyable, but not that funny, not that smart, and ultimately not that good.

It's film making by numbers. And it doesn't work.

David Gordon (John Cusack) was picked on as a kid but is now a successful fantasy writer. He was widowed as they were trying to adopt. As a widowed man, David is given problem child Dennis (Bobby Coleman). Dennis sits in a box hiding from the sun. He eats Lucky Charms, takes Poloroids, steal stuff and thinks he's from Mars. Along with Harlee (Amanda Peet) and his sister Liz (Joan Cusack) who has two rambunctious boys of her own, David tries to bring Dennis out of his shell as Dennis does the same for David. Mr. Lefkowitz (Richard Schiff) from the authorities is concerned about the adoption.

It's a pretty simplistic sentimental movie. It has a few fun moments. It has its heart warming moments. There isn't anything terribly great in this movie. I found the kid's constant quiet voice rather annoying. It doesn't have enough truly funny or surprising moments. It's not a bad movie but it's not out of this world either.

John Cusack, typed cast into a writer's role (1408, The Raven) plays David, a successful science fiction author. We get to know about his abnormal childhood of make believe from the opening radio interview. He is a widower, owns an old dog, has one sister (Joan Cusack) and Harlee (Amanda Peet) a helpful female friend. His next book will be "The Revenge of Draco Ban" even though he killed off all the main characters.

David is kicking around the ideal of adopting a child. He is encouraged by Harlee, and discouraged by his sister who calls her children "Omen 1 and Omen 2." Sophie (Sophie Okonedo),who works at the adoption agency matches David up with Dennis (Bobby Coleman),a boy who spends his time in a cardboard box and believes he is from Mars. The film takes on a "K-Pax" feel for awhile, as the boy is sometimes very convincing.

The movie is a feel good family drama with the right amount of humor, drama, and conflict. If you are like me and cry at movies, don't forget your Puffs.

Parental Guide: No f-bombs, sex, or nudity.