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Losing Isaiah

  • 1995
  • R
  • 1h 51m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
6.8K
YOUR RATING
Halle Berry and Jessica Lange in Losing Isaiah (1995)
The biological and adoptive mothers of a young boy are involved in a bitter, controversial custody battle.
Play trailer2:26
1 Video
18 Photos
Drama

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

  • Director
    • Stephen Gyllenhaal
  • Writers
    • Seth Margolis
    • Naomi Foner
  • Stars
    • Jessica Lange
    • Halle Berry
    • David Strathairn
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    6.8K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Stephen Gyllenhaal
    • Writers
      • Seth Margolis
      • Naomi Foner
    • Stars
      • Jessica Lange
      • Halle Berry
      • David Strathairn
    • 47User reviews
    • 16Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:26
    Official Trailer

    Photos18

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    Top cast69

    Edit
    Jessica Lange
    Jessica Lange
    • Margaret Lewin
    Halle Berry
    Halle Berry
    • Khaila Richards
    David Strathairn
    David Strathairn
    • Charles Lewin
    Cuba Gooding Jr.
    Cuba Gooding Jr.
    • Eddie Hughes
    Daisy Eagan
    Daisy Eagan
    • Hannah Lewin
    Marc John Jefferies
    Marc John Jefferies
    • Isaiah
    Samuel L. Jackson
    Samuel L. Jackson
    • Kadar Lewis
    Joie Lee
    Joie Lee
    • Marie
    Regina Taylor
    Regina Taylor
    • Gussie
    LaTanya Richardson Jackson
    LaTanya Richardson Jackson
    • Caroline Jones
    • (as LaTanya Richardson)
    Jacqueline Brookes
    Jacqueline Brookes
    • Judge Silbowitz
    Donovon Ian H. McKnight
    • Amir
    Rikkia A. Smith
    • Josie
    Paulette McDaniels
    • Ethel
    Velma Austin
    • Rehab Leader
    Glenda Starr Kelly
    • Group Leader
    Joan Kohn
    Joan Kohn
    • Toby Fredericks
    Patrick Clear
    Patrick Clear
    • Bill Fredericks
    • Director
      • Stephen Gyllenhaal
    • Writers
      • Seth Margolis
      • Naomi Foner
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews47

    6.46.7K
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    Featured reviews

    5corynang-578-789860

    Race

    When 2 different races make a child should it go to the one race he/she resembles or the one who is a better parent to the child? I do not like this movie. The color of the skin shouldn't matter. The best interest for the child no matter what color, is what is the best interest and stability for the child...
    9jwillingter

    Losing Isaiah

    A comment was made that this movie has a bad ending. This is a TRUE story that happened in San Antonio, Texas. Although Hollywood and most movie goers want a neat and tidy ending, this does not portray REAL LIFE. Indeed, this movie portrays a real situation and does it well. Makes you think a lot about our child adoption system. What is best for the CHILD is what should be the focus, however obviously biology is the only significant thing that our courts consider. This shows the child wanting and being more comfortable with the adopted family.

    This was an excellent film. Halle Barry showed some real acting chops. Previous to this movie she was just in party movies, playing on her looks. She acted up against Jessica quite well.

    However, the courtroom scenes were quite biased to Halle's situation. Not sure how much of the courtroom scenes were based on the real transcripts.

    Jessica was excellent as always!
    rondine

    Indeed, who decides what a mother or father is?

    I come from a family of 3 children, 2 adpoted and have to applaud this movie for doing a good job of pointing out that being a parent isn't about giving birth or "donating" sperm. A child always belongs with a family that loves him- it shouldn't be about color, or wealth or any other irrelevant factors. It's about responsibility and love. Any one can have a baby, not everyone can be a parent. There are certainly some stereotypes and the movie goes to the extreme point of a mother who literally throws away her baby to a family that is white, wealthy and kind to the child. The movie does this for dramatic purposes and succeeds in provoking a response from the many viewers who have seen this movie, as reviews will show. The movie also manages to enrage without even engaging the color issues. When Khaila's character tells her lawyer, "but I'm his mother" and insists on her "parental rights" it isn't even about color but about what is important about being a mother. Her character thinks that giving birth gives her rights over this tiny human being, (well played by Marc) when even children should be viewed as human beings with rights themselves. Parents who view children as possesions are wrong. I am "white" my husband is Mexican- does our child belong with one or the other? Khaila's lawyer says, "black babies belong with black mothers." Is that what we want to teach? Segregation? Doesn't work for me. Babies of any color belong with the people who take care of them and love them. That's what being a parent is.
    ChrisOfficial

    Losing Isaiah

    Very heartwarming, inspirational, and touching film right from the heart. Losing Isaiah is a film based on the beautiful novel by Seth Margolis. The book and the film itself was outstanding. Wonderful acting by Halle Berry, Jessica Lange, Marc John Jefferies and the entire cast.

    The film deals with emotional issues of adoption and it's based on real- life situations. The story-line was filled with hope. Losing Isaiah was a sad and uplifting moving story, a recommendation for all families. The film and the novel is must watch and read for a lifetime.

    God bless this film.

    "and a child shall lead them." - Isaiah 11:6
    Boyo-2

    Very thoughtful and fair

    I hesitated in seeing this movie for a long time because I knew that, whatever the outcome, I would be unsatisfied. However, I am willing to admit that I was wrong and the movie is a fairly accurate account of unconditional love and by the end, I was in tears. Fine acting all around.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Originally shot for television.
    • Goofs
      When Halle leans over to get the child out of the sandbox, her microphone pack can be seen at the small of her back under her shirt.
    • Quotes

      Khaila Richards: What is it you don't want him to know, huh? That his mother is as black as he is?

      Margaret Lewin: [sneering] "Black!" All you people think about is color!

      Khaila Richards: You people? You *people*? Well, you better look around, cause me and Isaiah, we the same kind of people. Or didn't you notice?

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Outbreak/Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh/Bye Bye Love/Losing Isaiah/Farinelli (1995)
    • Soundtracks
      Gimme My Props
      by Mohanndas Dewese

      Performed by Kool Moe Dee

      Courtesy of Jive Records

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    FAQ

    • How long is Losing Isaiah?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 17, 1995 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Isaiah'ı Kaybetmek
    • Filming locations
      • Chicago, Illinois, USA
    • Production company
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $17,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $7,603,766
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,520,972
      • Mar 19, 1995
    • Gross worldwide
      • $7,603,766
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 51 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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