Children of a Lesser God (1986)

Director:

Randa Haines

Writers:

Mark Medoff (play)
Mark Medoff (screenplay)

Release Date:

3 October 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Love has a language all of its own.

Plot:

James is a new speech teacher at a school for the deaf. He falls for Sarah, a pupil who decided to stay...

Plot Keywords:

School | Teacher | Deaf | School For The Deaf | Fall Into Water

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 4 wins & 10 nominations

Cast

William Hurt	...	James Leeds
Marlee Matlin	...	Sarah Norman
Piper Laurie	...	Mrs. Norman
Philip Bosco	...	Dr. Curtis Franklin
Allison Gompf	...	Lydia
John F. Cleary	...	Johnny
Philip Holmes	...	Glen
Georgia Ann Cline	...	Cheryl
William D. Byrd	...	Danny
Frank Carter Jr.	...	Tony
John Limnidis	...	William
Bob Hiltermann	...	Orin
E. Katherine Kerr	...	Mary Lee Ochs
John Basinger	...	Alan Jones
Barry Magnani	...	Tom Schuyler

Runtime:

119 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | American Sign Language

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | Singapore:NC-16 | South Korea:15 | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | Norway:12 | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:12 | Peru:14 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Beaver Harbour, New Brunswick, Canada

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

The sign language used by William Hurt and Marlee Matlin during their personal scenes does not mirror their dialogue - it has do with their relationship off-camera.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: The DVD back lists a main character as "John" Leeds, when the name should be "JAMES" Leeds.

Quotes:

James Leeds: [talking to Sarah while she is in the university swimming pool after hours] You are the most mysterious, beautiful, angry person I have ever met. I am falling in l...
[Sarah quickly backs away from the pool ledge, clearly uneasy]
James Leeds: Sarah... Sarah! I am falling... into the pool with you!
[falls forward into pool]

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Children of a Laughing God (1999)

Soundtrack:

Isn't It Romantic

Beautiful and Touching

Hollywood is full of overly wrought love stories in which the conflict seems contrived merely to create drama or comedy or both. In Children of a Lesser God the love is so simple, and the conflict so believable, that it feels less like watching a movie, and more like watching friends walk through their own personal story. The attraction between Matlin and Hurt is obvious, but genuine, and is filled with the kind of "touches" that make it feel real. It is also a visually beautiful film. Each shot is set like a still photographer capturing an image. The overwhelming beauty of the New Brunswick coast creates a background for the film that leaves one with the feeling of watching a moving painting. Matlin has unfortunately not since been offered anything near this piece in which to display her amazing talent. It is a shame that a woman who could stand alongside Katherine Hepburn and Jodie Foster as all time great actresses is not having the opportunity to display that talent because of her hearing disability.