Children of a Lesser God
Children of a Lesser God is a 1986 American romantic drama film directed by Randa Haines from a screenplay written by Hesper Anderson and Mark Medoff and based on Medoff's 1979 play of the same name. The film stars William Hurt, Marlee Matlin (in her film debut), Piper Laurie, and Philip Bosco. The film's narrative follows two employees at a school for the deaf: a Deaf custodian and a hearing speech teacher, whose conflicting ideologies on speech and deafness create tension and discord in their developing romantic relationship.
Plot
An energetic new teacher, James Leeds, arrives at a school for the deaf and hard of hearing in New England. He soon sees a young deaf woman, Sarah Norman, working as a janitor. Sarah, a former top student, is not well regarded by the hearing staff, but seems to integrate well with the deaf students. James begins to try to talk with her, arranging a meeting through her boss, pursuing her after school while she is attempting to clean, and persisting despite being rejected several times. She eventually agrees to go to dinner, and from the sidelines he watches her dance as she feels the music.
Awards
More details
author | Mark Medoff |
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award | Academy Award for Best Actress National Board of Review: Top Ten Films |
contentLocation | Maine |
director | Randa Haines |
editor | Lisa Fruchtman |
genre | drama |
keywords | connect estranged mother falling in love first time hear how to janitor meet new england passionate kiss reject school prom speak swim |
musicBy | Michael Convertino |
nomination | Academy Award for Best Actor Academy Award for Best Actress Academy Award for Best Picture Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay |
producer | Burt Sugarman Patrick J. Palmer |
publisher | Paramount Pictures |
theme | independent romantic drama |