Shot by Stephen Gyllenhaal, Losing Isaiah is an American film depicting the drama of two different women united by the love to the same child, Isaiah. The film starts from the point when the breastfed child does not fit in his mother’s lifestyle – the cocaine addicted Khaila leaves him in the box in the trash. She loves Isaiah but she loves drugs more, and fortunately for the child, he is eventually found by the garbage collectors. Forwarded to the hospital, the child soon finds the safe hands and the loving family. The conflict happens when after three years of life without drugs, Khaila decides to find Isaiah – the ethical dilemma gets more complex due to the racial issues but the biological mother finally wins a court case. Unfortunately and surprisingly for her, Isaiah considers only one mother and it is not her but Margaret, the one who saved and raised him. The controversial story ends up with Isaiah staying with Margaret – the women’s love to the kid unites them and leaves no place for the conflict. Losing Isaiah depicts the life situation and appeals for the audience to take sides and reflect on what is the best solution for each character.
Losing Isaiah causes controversial emotions and challenges the audience with the dilemma of where the right ends and the wrong begins. It is impossible to judge the participants of the conflict from the outside having no idea of what it feels like to be one of them. But the situation depicted in the film cannot leave any spectator indifferent, and the author’s aim is obviously to make him/her think what is objectively right and what is wrong in the case. So judging by what is demonstrated and the personal experience, each person has a right to form his/her own opinion.
Basing on the family conflict in Losing Isaiah, it is fair to say that the juridical system is imperfect and the human factor is not always considered. As seen in the film, following the law does not always give the objective and fair solution to the problem. First of all, the law takes the situation out of the context and does not suppose providing the best solution for the reason of the conflict – the child himself. After three years spent with the people who practically became his parents, Isaiah is forced to spend the rest of his life with the woman who is considered his parent theoretically. It is significant to distinguish the blood ties and the parenting – the fact that the female individual is the child’s biological mother does not necessarily oblige both, the mother and the child, to love and care for each other. Meanwhile, upbringing and taking care of the child makes the person a true parent for him/her.
In the situation where each side has a partial blame, it is not easy to separate the antagonists from the protagonists. Khaila is the irresponsible mother who left her child to die in the garbage but she eventually came back and after some time, even managed to change the lifestyle. Her love to Isaiah and the desire to take care of him dictated her action and she indeed had a right to get him back. As for Margaret, this woman saved the child and provided the best conditions for him to grow up, and it was unfair to deprive her of custody. The conflict was between the two women but at this point, it seems that nobody cares of Isaiah and what he thinks and wants.
The law seems unfair to Isaiah because after three years of happy life with the caring parents, he is forced to leave the family for the unknown woman. Such life changes may bring a lot of stress to the child thus influencing his psychological health and the further development. Unfortunately, due to the huge number of such cases, it is indeed what happens with the children who were unlucky to become the victims of such laws and bureaucracy.
At this situation, the best solution is offered by the director himself in the end of the movie – the child stays with his true parent while the biological mother has a right to be a part of his life. Judging by the kind nature of Margaret and the unconditional love of Khaila, it is fair to suppose that the transition would be smooth and painless. There is a hope for Khaila that Isaiah will accept her one day and unlike the day in the garbage when he had no family, he will soon have the extended family and the loving environment. As for the parents, both biological and those who fostered Isaiah, they are going to interact altogether for the sake of the happy future of the beloved son.
The film has an educational nature and can thus be considered a must-see not only for the cinema lovers but also those who are interested in the extraordinary life situations and the human psychology as well. The film is successful in conveying its main message – the parent is the one who raises and cares for the child, and it does not matter what his/her age, sex, or race are. Still, the film would be more successful if the race issue were not raised. This can be viewed as the author’s aim to highlight that the good parenting does not depend on the race.
In spite of the best intentions of the author, such choice of the characters may be viewed as racism by the huge part of the audience. The black woman is the irresponsible mother and a drug addict; she is the one who starts the trial together with the conflict. Meanwhile, the white woman is a savior and the perfect parent whose kindness is unlimited and she is ready to give the child back to his biological mother. Such cast breakdown may seem unfair and offend the black audience.
Overall, the film can be considered a good example of reflecting on the complicated life dilemma. The author’s message is clear and can be viewed as the best solution for any similar life situation.
References
Krinsky, M.A. (2007). A case for reform of the child welfare system. Family Court Review, 45(4), 541-547.
Liebmann, T., & Madden, E. (2010). Hear My Voice—Perspectives Of Current And Former Foster Youth. Family Court Review, 48(2), 255-261.
