Something the Lord Made
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Movie Reviews of Something the Lord Made
Movie Review: Something the Lord made, indeed
Summary: 5 Stars
It is 1930 in the deep South, and Vivien Thomas (Mos Def), who always dreamed of becoming a doctor, has just been fired from his job as a carpenter. Hired to clean the lab cages for the arrogant Dr. Blalock (Alan Rickman), Vivien quickly demonstrates a rare affinity for medicine and a knack for making improvised surgical instruments. Blalock appreciates his unusual skills and takes Vivien with him when he moves to Johns Hopkins University, where, together, they work to save dying "blue babies."
It's been a long time since a movie touched me this much. This Emmy-winning HBO film is simply outstanding in every way; the script, based on a true story, is exciting and the actors are all excellent. I got the movie because of Alan Rickman, but it is Mos Def who is the real star. He gives a powerful performance as an idealistic young man hobbled by the injustices of segregation who perseveres to become a respected scientist. Though Vivien never attended college, he helped plan and assisted in the world's first heart bypass surgery to correct blue baby syndrome in 1944.
The Jim Crow era is recreated well, showing such a cruel and hopeless world that Vivien's accomplishments are nothing short of amazing. This is an exceptional movie, guaranteed to have you reaching for the tissues. Highly recommended.
Movie Review: A MUST WATCH!!
Summary: 5 Stars
(HBO Made for TV) Won the 2004 Emmy for Outstanding Picture. I don't know what the competition was but this is one of my favorite movies and deserves any awards it receives. It is the true story of Dr. Alfred Blalock and Vivian Thomas. The film begins in the 1930's when white heart surgeon Blalock hires Thomas, an African American, as the janitor in his medical lab. Thomas takes home textbooks at night and teaches himself medicine. He is also very skilled with his hands and wants to pursue a career as a surgeon but America is not a friendly environment for blacks who want to achieve in the scholastic world, especially the world of medicine. It soon becomes apparent to Blalock what a genius Thomas is and what a skilled surgeon he could make. While Thomas perfects a new technique that saves thousands of infant lives (still in use today I understand), Blalock gets all the credit. The acting is outstanding and the story will bring tears to your eyes. It's still hard to believe this was America 50 to 60 years ago. A great movie. Too bad it never made it to the theaters. Other than some brief, rough language on the part of Dr. Blalock this is a very family friendly film, one you will want to watch more than once. Better yet - buy several for family & friends. Five stars for sure. www.lusreviews.blogspot.com
Movie Review: "Where others see risk, I see opportunities..."
Summary: 5 Stars
This 2004 made for television film details the lives of Drs Vivien Thomas (Mos Def) and Alfred Blalock (Alan Rickman), who are pioneers in the field of cardiac surgery.
Prior to the 1940's, it was theorized that touching the human heart would result in instant death. These two doctors' work in conjunction with Dr. Helen Taussig in as well as emergency surgeries begun in World War II gave rise to the discipline of cardiology.
Vivien Thomas began working for Dr. Alfred Blalock in 1929 at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, TN. At the time, Blalock was studying trauma. Blalock and Thomas together developed the procedure to transfuse blood to restore life to trauma patients.
That work took the pair of them to Johns Hopkins where the Dr. Blalock was challenged by Dr. Taussig to help 'blue babies.' The two pioneered both the instruments and techniques including sutures that 'grow' that enabled blue babies to live.
It's no surprise this film won an Emmy in 2004. "Something the Lord Made" is a fascinating historical depiction of a pioneering time in our history both scientifically and racially. Both Mos Def and Alan Rickman did an excellent job in their roles, literally losing their own persona in their acting.
Movie Review: Hope is Never Lost
Summary: 5 Stars
In this movie, an uneducated, but bright, black man works with a leading doctor to develop the techniques and instruments needed to perform the world's first heart surgery. Before Blalock and Thomas, the rule for medicine was that doctors do not touch the heart. Although the development of the procedure is exciting, the real lesson in this movie is that even if one does not have the means or social standing to accomplish something great, with perseverance and a keen mind one can work around those restrictions to do great things. Before the end of his life, 'carpenter' Thomas was a professor at Johns Hopkins medical school, teaching future doctors heart surgery techniques, and he was awarded an honorary doctorate.
If parents are unable to give their hopeful, bright sons or daughters the education they need to succeed, they can show them this movie and encourage them to work for their goals by any means they can find. Who knows, maybe if they can manage to become a great doctor's assistant in the lab, maybe he will be impressed enough with their work to help them through medical school. Maybe a successful local artist will tutor a student to become a great artist . . . or any other profession the child in interested in joining.
Movie Review: Very Moving!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is simply a wonderful story that was very well done. Alan Rickman did a surprisingly good job playing a good guy (something I don't think I've seen too often...he should do it more) and Mos Def gave an equally good performance. I don't like to give spoilers, but if you have issues with animal experimentation this movie isn't for you. If you understand the medical necessity in it, and take it as that, then this is a great movie about the beginning of open heart surgery for the treatment of Tetralogy of Fallot and how racial prejudice could have easily delayed or even prevented this procedure.
My only criticism is the use of foul language during one of characters temper tantrums. I don't think it was necessary and it almost seemed out of character for Dr. Blalock, at least the way Mr. Rickman portrayed the character...it seemed almost "forced". It could have been a great family movie with the deletion of the obscenities as this could be a springboard for the discussion of racial issues, animal experimentation and even critically ill children. Oh well, I'm good at using the mute button on the remote (we get lots of practice these days, don't we!).
Overall a wonderful movie that I highly recommend!