Losing Isaiah
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Williams on September 23rd, 2003
Losing Isaiah tells the story of a struggle between biological and adoptive parents in the care of young boy who is born to a cocaine addicted mother. Halle Berry gives an impressive performance as Khalia, a mother who makes the tragic error of leaving her infant son in a cardboard box while in an intoxicated state. The next morning after she sobers up, she recalls her actions of the night previous and frantically searches for her son. To her horror she can not find him. She then struggles with the conclusion that s…mething terrible has befallen him and eventually accepts that he has died.
Unbeknownst to her, garbage men had found her son crying in the alley and took him to the hospital where he is expected not to survive. He does survive with the help of a white social worker Margaret Lewin (played powerfully by Jessica Lange). She then adopts the boy and raises him with her husband despite his early attachment difficulties and ADHD behaviors.
During the ensuing 3 years Khalia has tried to rehabilitate herself as a result of her past drug influenced behavior and is working as a housekeeper for a rich white family. One day by accident, she learns that her son is alive. She engages a social worker and attorney (everyone’s favorite purple lightsaber wielding Jedi, Samuel Jackson) to fight for custody of her son. This climaxes in a court room battle with longstanding repercussions for both Khalia, Margaret, and Isaiah.
Video
Solid presentation in a 16:9 widescreen format. While grainy at times it does not take away from the overall experience. The colors are vibrant and the flesh tones are deep and vivid. The color schemes used the scenes add to the overall feel of the movie.
Audio
The film is presented in 5.1 Dolby Digital with good separation of sounds particularly in scenes where the hip hop music is in the background. Bass effects are used well throughout the film.
Special Features
None.
Final Thoughts
This is a powerfully written and acted film which will leave it’s viewers torn as to whom should have custody of Isaiah. This is not an easy question to resolve and there is no right answer but hopefully, this will allow it’s viewers to have a better appreciation of the complexities of trying to resolve these difficult but all too common issues in today’s world.
Special Features List
- None
