Losing Isaiah Movie Review 1994

"Kramer vs. Kramer" meets the movie-of-the-week in this controversial and emotionally moving story of a social worker (Lange) who adopts the title character, an African American baby abandoned by his drug-addicted mother (Berry). Courtroom battle ensues when four years later mom, now clean and sober, discovers Isaiah is alive. She enlists the aid of a lawyer (Jackson) known for his high-profile, racially charged cases. Lange and Berry lead the parade of fine performances. Taking on some volatile issues, director Gyllenhaal manages (for the most part) to refrain from melodrama. Based on the novel by Seth Margolis.

Distribution

Paramount Home Video, 5555 Melrose Ave., 5555 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038, Phone: (323)956-5000, URL: http://www.paramount.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS
Running time 108 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Custody Battles, Adoption & Orphans, African America, Justice Prevails...?, Parenthood, Rescue Missions, Women, Law & Lawyers

Screenplay

Naomi Foner

Cast

Jessica Lange, Halle Berry, David Strathairn, Samuel L. Jackson, Cuba Gooding, LaTanya Richardson Jackson

Cinematography

Andrzej Bartkowiak

Director

Stephen Gyllenhaal

Music

Mark Isham

Producer

Jr. Howard W. Koch, Naomi Foner, Paramount Pictures