Children Of A Lesser God
One of the most critically-acclaimed films of the 80s, Children Of A Lesser God garnered four Academy Award nominations and a Best Actress Oscar for Marlee Matlin. Based on the hit Broadway play, it's the uplifting love story of John Leeds (William Hurt), an idealistic special education teacher, and a headstrong deaf girl named Sarah (Marlee Matlin). At first, Leeds sees Sarah as a teaching challenge. But soon their teacher/student relationship blossoms into a love so passionate it shatters the barrier of silence that keeps them apart.
Member Reviews
Unfair title, but wonderful film - crazyboutmovies
In spite of recent revelations of her abusive relationship with actor William Hurt, Marlee Matlin and Hurt gave beautiful performances in this romantic drama.
I do think that the title is misleading, since I never think of deaf persons as "children of a lesser god". Even so, the movie does give us a glimpse of the world of people who are hearing impaired.
I do not know what has taken me so long to get around to watching this film, but I am glad that I finally did.A Complicated Romance. - cathyottawa
The title is a bit misleading, as is the descriptor. The "renegade, great teacher" bit of this movie is quite small. This is really just a straight up love story.
The twist, is that it's a romance between a hearing man (William Hurt), and a deaf woman (Marlee Maitland). She feels like she doesn't belong in the hearing world, and is doing just fine as a janitor in her old deaf school thank you very much.
Hurt helps her come out of her shell, but she ends up resenting him for it, feeling like he's trying to mold her into his own vision of what she should be. She needs to find herself. Can they make it work, despite all these obstacles?
I give this film extra marks for Maitland's Oscar winning performance. At the time, she was the youngest person to have recieved the award (she was only 21). She and Hurt lived together in real life for several years in the 80s, and that chemistry translates onto the big screen.
If you think you're going to be enlightenned on the deaf world, you'll be disappointed. It touches on things, but never really develops them. I also grew a little tired of Hurt forever translating what Maitland was saying. A few subtitles instead would have been more realistic.
But, the story is heartfelt and sincere.The Sound of Silence - kap0n3
Unusual love story about a temperamental deaf woman (Marlee Martin in an Oscar-winning performance) and the teacher (William Hurt) who tries to help her learn to speak. One of the few adaptations of a stage play that does not look like a stage play. The story is simple, but the movie is honest and realistic. Also, one has to admire how actors Martin and Hurt manage to transform the most ordinary scenes into something really special. Martin reminds me of a very young Audrey Hepburn; talented, beautiful and has something quite unique about her that it is hard to explain. Hurt is also excellent, and I'm always happy to see the great Piper Laurie - she is wonderful as usual. Thankfully, the film is devoid of any kind of cynicism, presenting a tender love story with a very original twist. Hurt and Martin are a great romantic duo, and the film opts for an old-fashioned approach that I found irresistible. A memorable, mature modern romance.
Member Reviews
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Unfair title, but wonderful film - crazyboutmovies
In spite of recent revelations of her abusive relationship with actor William Hurt, Marlee Matlin and Hurt gave beautiful performances in this romantic drama.
I do think that the title is misleading, since I never think of deaf persons as "children ...A Complicated Romance. - cathyottawa
The title is a bit misleading, as is the descriptor. The "renegade, great teacher" bit of this movie is quite small. This is really just a straight up love story.
The twist, is that it's a romance between a hearing man (William Hurt), and a deaf woman ...The Sound of Silence - kap0n3
Unusual love story about a temperamental deaf woman (Marlee Martin in an Oscar-winning performance) and the teacher (William Hurt) who tries to help her learn to speak. One of the few adaptations of a stage play that does not look like a stage play. The story ...