Overview
A poignant exploration of love and communication transcends barriers of silence.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- earnest
- intimate
- passionate
- thoughtful date night
- character drama evening
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film’s noble subject matter compelling because of the absorbing, emotionally powerful performances by William Hurt and Marlee Matlin.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
James's speech-centered teaching methods clash with Sarah's insistence that silence and signing are valid forms of selfhood.
James initially treats Sarah's speech and future as a project, forcing the relationship to confront the difference between care and remaking someone.
The school and its hearing staff mediate the broader divide between deaf identity and the expectations of the hearing community.
Sarah's signing, facial expression, and physical presence carry emotional information that conventional dialogue would normally provide.
Films like Children of a Lesser God, and why
The Sound of Metal
romantic drama centered on communication barriers, emotional vulnerability, and a relationship tested by social divides
The Theory of Everything
intimate romance exploring disability, independence, and the limits of another person's desire to help
The Big Sick
emotionally earnest relationship drama featuring strong performances and difficult communication between partners
A Patch of Blue
socially conscious romance pairing contrasting personalities while confronting institutional and cultural expectations
Movie Details
- Director
- Randa Haines
- Release Date
- 1986-09-13
- Runtime
- 119 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (353)
Cast
- William Hurt
- Marlee Matlin
- Piper Laurie
- Philip Bosco
- Allison Gompf
- John F. Cleary
- Philip Holmes
- Georgia Ann Cline
- William D. Byrd
- Frank Carter Jr.
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Children of a Lesser God about?
- A passionate teacher and a fiercely independent deaf woman challenge each other’s ideas of love, identity, and communication.
- What is Children of a Lesser God like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Children of a Lesser God as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Children of a Lesser God violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Children of a Lesser God as mild.
- What did critics think of Children of a Lesser God?
- Critics broadly found the film’s noble subject matter compelling because of the absorbing, emotionally powerful performances by William Hurt and Marlee Matlin.
- Which films are like Children of a Lesser God?
- Films with a similar feel include The Sound of Metal, The Theory of Everything, The Big Sick, and A Patch of Blue.
- How long is Children of a Lesser God?
- Children of a Lesser God runs 119 minutes.
- Where can I watch Children of a Lesser God?
- In United States, Children of a Lesser God is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
