The Substance of Fire

The story

Isaac Geldhart is a Holocaust survivor who, overcome by grief at the recent death of his wife, seems determined to run his publishing firm into the ground by printing books that have no hope of financial success. His son Aaron, who also works at the company, grows frustrated with Isaac's emotional decline and attempts to take over the firm. The resulting crisis involves Isaac's other two children, his daughter Sarah and his dying son Martin.

Cast & crew

Tony GoldwynAaron Geldhart

Timothy HuttonMartin Geldhart

Ron RifkinIsaac Geldhart

Sarah Jessica ParkerSarah Geldhart

Lee GrantCora Cahn

Elizabeth FranzMiss Barzakian

Benjamin Ungar

Benjamin UngarYoung Issac

Roger ReesMax

Viola DavisNurse

Adolph GreenMr. Musselblatt

Debra MonkMartha Hackett

Tom McDermottOld Printer