CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD distributed by PARAMOUNT pictures (1986). It was critically acclaimed because of the subject matter (People who are deaf and cannot hear). The production budget climbed to $10.5 million. It reached $101 million at the world wide box office. It was surprisingly more popular outside of the United States.
"Children" was adapted from the stage theatre play (1979) of the same name. It was a hit on Broadway (1980) in New York and won several Tony awards including best drama. It ran until 1982 before closing.
The story focuses on a deaf woman (Marlee Matlin) who is a custodian at a school for the hearing impaired. A male speech teacher (William Hurt) comes to that school. Him and the custodian fall in love.
"Children" hit the mainstream and the focus on "deafness" was very positive. It was also the debut film of Marlee Matlin who won the Oscar as Best Actress (1987). She was the youngest to win (21 yrs.) in the Academy show history. Plus, the first deaf actress to also win.
Matlin was very good but I think William Hurt gave a strong performance through his "sign language." He was Oscar nominated as Best actor for that year.
This was 1986 and the film was praised by everyone including the "deaf" community. Sadly, this kind of movie would never be repeated by a Hollywood studio.
Below is the movie trailer for "Children of a Lesser God" 1986.
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