''Joseph's Gift'' is a 1998

feature film A feature film or feature-length film is a narrative film (motion picture or "movie") with a running time long enough to be considered the principal or sole presentation in a commercial entertainment program. The term ''feature film'' originall ...

. It is a modern-day retelling of the biblical story of

Joseph Joseph is a common male given name, derived from the Hebrew Yosef (יוֹסֵף). "Joseph" is used, along with "Josef", mostly in English, French and partially German languages. This spelling is also found as a variant in the languages of the m ...

, son of

Jacob Jacob (; ; ar, يَعْقُوب, Yaʿqūb; gr, Ἰακώβ, Iakṓb), later given the name Israel, is regarded as a patriarch of the Israelites and is an important figure in Abrahamic religions, such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam ...

Plot

The Keller family are the owners of a successful garment business based in

Los Angeles, California Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the wo ...

. The story mainly revolves around Jacob Keller's ( John Saxon) youngest son Joseph ( Freddy Rodriguez). Because Jacob treats Joseph as if he is his favorite son, Joseph's brothers Ashton, Simon, and Robert plot to eliminate Joseph. They accomplish this by going on a business trip with Joseph, only to have him kidnapped and taken to a sweat shop run by sadist Frank Childress ( Brion James). After trying to escape from the sweat shop, Joseph is beaten up by Frank's right-hand man Thompsonn ( Martin Kove) and put in a small prison-like cell. However, Joseph is given a chance by Frank to work in his office. Joseph's business savvy helps Frank's business, and soon Frank introduces Joseph to his wife Clara (Caroline Ambrose). Clara attempts to come on to Joseph, but Joseph rejects her advances. Enraged, Clara false claims that Joseph is coming on to her. Frank manages to overhear Clara's claims, and he has Joseph shipped off to an insane asylum. While in the asylum, Joseph becomes acquainted with other inmates, notably Parker (John Dennis Johnston). The two strike up an instant friendship. Eventually, Joseph is released from the asylum and promises to Parker that he will get him out one day. After leaving the asylum, Joseph gets a job at a bank and manages to get a very prestigious position in a short matter of time. Not forgetting his old friend, Joseph manages to get Parker a respectable job in the bank. Around this time, his long-lost family is in need of a bank loan in order to keep their garment business alive. Jacob's three eldest sons go to the bank and attempt to get a loan. Unbeknownst to them, they are to be in the same room with their long-lost brother Joseph. When Joseph asks what their name is, they tell him their name is Keller and he realizes that they are his long-lost family, but he does not reveal this to them. He tells them that the deal will not be considered unless their father Jacob came there in person. A few weeks later, the three Keller boys come back to the bank, this time accompanied by Jacob. However, Joseph still does not reveal who he is. Finally, Joseph comes to the Keller home to finalize the deal during a family dinner. Before the deal can be finalized, Joseph reveals to Jacob that he is his long-lost son Joseph Keller. After a tear-filled reunion, the entire Keller family rejoices in the fact that their family is once again complete.

Cast

* Freddy Rodríguez.....Joseph Keller * Brion James.....Frank Childress * Robert Townsend.....James Saunders * John Saxon.....Jacob Keller * Pamela Bellwood.....Rachel Keller * Martin Kove.....Thompsonn * Angus Macfadyen.....Carl *Ben Bottoms.....Ashton Keller * Joseph Bottoms.....Simon Keller * Sam Bottoms.....Robert Keller * John Dennis Johnston.....Parker (credited as J.D. Johnston) *David Arrow.....Justin Keller *Caroline Ambrose.....Clara Childress *

Marcel Marceau Marcel Marceau (; born Marcel Mangel; 22 March 1923 – 22 September 2007) was a French actor and mime artist most famous for his stage persona, "Bip the Clown". He referred to mime as the "art of silence", and he performed professionally worldw ...

.....The Snake *

Allelon Ruggiero Allelon Ruggiero (born March 5, 1971) is an American actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Stephen Meeks in ''Dead Poets Society''. Early life Ruggiero was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended the Philadelphia High School fo ...

.....Grant Keller

References

External links

* * * {{Philippe Mora 1998 films Films based on the Book of Genesis Films directed by Philippe Mora Films scored by Joseph Bishara Films set in Los Angeles 1990s English-language films American drama films 1990s American films