Foster Boy (2019)
A gripping legal drama exposing the failures of for-profit foster care, anchored by powerful performances from Matthew Modine and Shane Paul McGhie.
Foster Boy - Movie Information
- Release Year: 2019
- Directed by: Youssef Delara
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
- Runtime: 1h 49m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Production Companies: Foster Boy Movies, Pantheon Entertainment Corporation, Stay Relevant Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Foster Boy - Plot
A lawyer finds himself at the center of a trial in which a for-profit foster care agency puts a known sex offender into the same foster home as his young client Jamal, which leads to catastrophic results.
Foster Boy - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the courtroom battle at the heart of this story:
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Foster Boy - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Youssef Delara
Main Cast
- Matthew Modine
- Shane Paul McGhie
- Louis Gossett Jr.
- Julie Benz
- Brenda Bakke
- Amy Brenneman
- Michael Beach
- Greg Germann
- Michael Hyatt
- Blake Altounian
Writers
- Jay Paul Deratany
Producers
- Andrew Sugerman
- Peter Samuelson
- Anne-Marie Mackay
- Jay Paul Deratany
Foster Boy - FAQs
What is Foster Boy about?
Foster Boy follows Michael Trainer, a corporate lawyer reluctantly assigned to represent Jamal, a young man who aged out of the foster care system. The case exposes how a for-profit agency knowingly placed a sex offender in Jamal's foster home, leading to abuse and a fight for accountability in a broken system.
Is Foster Boy based on a true story?
Yes, Foster Boy is inspired by real events. Screenwriter Jay Paul Deratany, who also serves as a real-life attorney, based the story on actual cases he encountered while representing foster care survivors. The film draws attention to systemic failures and the exploitation of vulnerable children in for-profit foster care agencies.
Where can you stream Foster Boy online?
You can stream Foster Boy on Amazon Prime Video, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Tubi TV, Kanopy, Hoopla, and Plex for free or with ads. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
Does Foster Boy have a happy ending?
Foster Boy builds toward a courtroom reckoning that offers a measure of justice for Jamal. While the film doesn't shy away from the painful realities of the foster care system, it ultimately delivers a hopeful resolution centered on accountability, resilience, and the transformative power of one lawyer choosing to truly fight for his client.
Who are the main actors in Foster Boy?
The film stars Matthew Modine as corporate lawyer Michael Trainer and Shane Paul McGhie as Jamal Randolph, the young foster care survivor at the heart of the case. The cast also includes Louis Gossett Jr. as Judge George Taylor, Amy Brenneman, Julie Benz, Michael Beach, and Greg Germann.
Who directed Foster Boy and wrote the screenplay?
Foster Boy was directed by Youssef Delara and written by Jay Paul Deratany, a real attorney who drew on his own legal experience representing foster care survivors. Deratany also served as a producer, giving the film an unusually authentic grounding in the realities of the foster care system.
How was Foster Boy received by critics and audiences?
Foster Boy earned praise for its performances, particularly from Matthew Modine and Shane Paul McGhie, and for shining a light on a rarely depicted corner of the American legal and social services system. Critics noted its earnest, advocacy-driven tone, with the film resonating strongly with audiences moved by its real-world subject matter.
What are similar films to Foster Boy?
If Foster Boy resonated with you, consider watching Puncture (2011), a legal drama about a lawyer taking on a powerful medical corporation, or God Is a Bullet (2023) for another intense, justice-driven narrative. Remember (2015) and Julia (1977) also offer compelling stories of individuals confronting systemic wrongs.
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