Losing Isaiah

The material is emotionally wrenching, but the actors play sociopolitical totems more than flesh-and-blood characters in "Losing Isaiah." The question of custody battles between birth and adoptive parents is a timely one, and when the race card is played on top of it, result can't help but be convulsive and provocative. Audiences will assuredly get worked up by this grimly serious, issue-oriented drama, with reactions stemming more from individuals' own ethnic stripes and political predispositions than from any argument the film presents. Consequential controversy will turn off as many prospective viewers as it will attract, and men and younger patrons will be resistant, pointing to mid-level B.O.

Losing Isaiah summary of box office results, charts and release information and related links.

Hot-button social issues are usually the province of television movies, but "Losing Isaiah" deserves its status as a feature film. This drama about interracial adoption is serious and affecting, thanks in large part to the presence of its two magnetic stars. Duly positioned on opposite sides of this central issue, both Jessica Lange and Halle Berry breathe real life into their debating positions, which are well articulated by the material. The tone is thoughtful and temperate. Only once does anyone exclaim, "What about love?"

74% Audience Score

A film that missed its opportunities to address crucial issues of race.

Khaila Richards (Halle Berry), a crack-addicted single mother, accidentally leaves her baby in a dumpster while high and returns the next day in a panic to find he is missing. In reality, the baby has been adopted by a warm-hearted social worker, Margaret Lewin (Jessica Lange), and her husband, Charles (David Strathairn). Years later, Khaila has gone through rehab and holds a steady job. After learning that her child is still alive, she challenges Margaret for the custody.

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The papers are filled with heartbreaking stories of tugs-of-war over children. Natural parents sue for custody, adoptive parents sue to keep the children they have grown to love, divorced couples fight desperately for possession of the children. The public takes sides in these wrenching melodramas, but really there can be no winners, only survivors. And God help the children.

Losing Isaiah (1995) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more.

Directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal. With Jessica Lange, Halle Berry, David Strathairn, Cuba Gooding Jr.. The natural and adoptive mothers of a young boy are involved in a bitter, controversial custody battle.

Losing Isaiah is a 1995 American drama film starring Jessica Lange and Halle Berry, directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal. It is based on the novel of the same name by Seth Margolis. The screenplay is written by Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal. The original music score is composed by Mark Isham.