Losing Isaiah (1995)

Director:

Stephen Gyllenhaal

Writers (WGA):

Seth Margolis (novel)
Naomi Foner (screenplay)

Release Date:

17 March 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Who decides what makes a mother?

Plot:

The natural and adoptive mothers of a young boy are involved in a bitter, controversial custody battle.

Plot Keywords:

Parenthood | Birth Mother | Babysitting | Playground | Racist

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Jessica Lange	...	Margaret Lewin
Halle Berry	...	Khaila Richards
David Strathairn	...	Charles Lewin
Cuba Gooding Jr.	...	Eddie Hughes
Daisy Eagan	...	Hannah Lewin
Marc John Jefferies	...	Isaiah
Samuel L. Jackson	...	Kadar Lewis
Joie Lee	...	Marie
Regina Taylor	...	Gussie
LaTanya Richardson	...	Caroline Jones
Jacqueline Brookes	...	Judge Silbowitz
Donovon Ian H. McKnight	...	Amir
Rikkia A. Smith	...	Josie
Paulette McDaniels	...	Ethel
Velma Austin	...	Rehab Leader

MPAA:

Rated R for drug related material and brief strong language.

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (DeLuxe)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | Iceland:L | USA:R (certificate #33118) | Australia:M | Argentina:Atp | Singapore:PG | UK:15 (video premiere)

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Losing Isaiah was originally shot for TV but ended up getting a theatrical release.

Soundtrack:

Gas Chamber

Interesting Social Drama Explores Difficult Issues

A black woman (Halle Berry) who is a drug addict, abandons her child and a white woman (Jessica Lange) adopts the infant. Years later, when the natural mother manages to overcome her personal problems, she wants the child back. Manipulative (and imperfect) movie, told with passion and conviction. I never feel like apologizing for liking a movie that plays with your emotions and/or preach to the audience. In my opinion, sentimental movies could be as phony or endearing as cynical films; no matter what you read, both approaches could be equally effective or equally annoying. It all depends on how the filmmaker approaches the material. I think this movie deals with an interesting premise, and while I think nowadays the problem would have been solved in a very different manner, I think the movie has the heart in the right place. Halle Berry and Jessica Lange are great, and even though the movie fails to explore certain aspects of the narrative, I think this this is a solid drama.