Children of a Lesser God

Part of the Meaning in Language and Society series, featuring introductions and post-film discussions by Cecile McKee, Professor of Linguistics, University of Arizona.

1987 Academy Award Winner! Best Actress, Marlee Matlin

“A genuinely touching love story and a clever gloss on the barriers and extensions of language.” – Stephen Garrett, Time Out

Based on the hit Broadway play, Children of a Lesser God tells the uplifting and complex love story of John Leeds (William Hurt), an idealistic special education teacher at a small New England school for the deaf, and a beautiful, headstrong deaf girl named Sarah (Marlee Matlin), who works as the custodian at the school. 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. Nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Children of a Lesser God also marked the film debut of Marlee Matlin, who won an Oscar for her role. (Dir. by Randa Haines, 1986, 119 mins., Rated R) Digital