More than most, the movie depends on high-pitched, sustained performances by its central characters. I think both are superb.

| Jan 22, 2025

Randa Haines’ 1986 Children of a Lesser God was the first Oscar Best Picture nominee directed by a woman. It’s an appropriate first; the movie’s about a woman finding her voice and self.

| Apr 15, 2024

...smarter than you might remember. Locating an issue in male control, and setting her heroine against that control, Children of a Lesser God has a message that's relevant to MeToo...

| Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 7, 2021

'Children of a Lesser God' blazed a trail for representation but doesn't hold up today

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Feb 2, 2021

'80s love story has some strong language, sex.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 28, 2020

Children of a Lesser God, though given a handsome openness in Director Haines' production, cannot transcend the banalities of the play. But Matlin does. She is, one might say, a miracle worker.

| Mar 16, 2011

A sappy but often genuinely moving and angry film about love, life and deafness.

| Mar 16, 2011

Hurt seems to be bucking for at least two Oscar nominations here: one for his performance, the other for best echo effects by an interpreter of signed speech.

| Mar 16, 2011

A touching and universal love story.

| Jul 22, 2008

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 7, 2007

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 11, 2006

Not unlike The Miracle Worker, this teacher-student-breakthrough movie updates the genre with several changes: the teacher (William Hurt) is an unconventional male, the student (Marlee Matlin) is an attractive female, and their relationship involves sex.

| Original Score: B+ | May 31, 2006

A genuinely touching love story and a clever gloss on the barriers and extensions of language.

| Feb 9, 2006

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 5, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 25, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 24, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 5, 2005

Unfortunately, launched Matlin on us.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jul 29, 2004

Never develops beyond a Hollywood public service picture.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jul 8, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 4, 2004