Losing Isaiah

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Losing Isaiah ★★★ 1994 (R)

“Kramer vs. Kramer” meets the movie-of-the-week in this controversial and emo tionally moving story of a social worker (Lange) who adopts the title character, an African American baby abandoned by his drug-addicted mother (Berry). Courtroom battle ensues when four years later mom, now clean and sober, discovers Isaiah is alive. She enlists the aid of a lawyer (Jackson) known for his highprofile, racially charged cases. Lange and Berry lead the parade of fine performances. Taking on some volatile issues, director Gyllenhaal manages (for the most part) to refrain from melodrama. Based on the novel by Seth Margolis. 108m/C VHS, DVD . Jessica Lange, Halle Berry, David Strathairn, Samuel L. Jackson, Cuba Gooding Jr., LaTanya Richardson Jackson; D: Stephen Gyllenhaal; W: Naomi Foner; C: Andrzej Bartkowiak; M: Mark Isham.