Something the Lord Made
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Movie Reviews of Something the Lord Made
Movie Review: Something the Lord Made
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an great film, superbly acted, about the three doctors who pioneered cardiac surgery....Dr. Alfred Blalock (surgeon), Dr. Helen Taussig (pediatric cardiologist), and Dr. Vivien Thomas (Engineering tecnician extrodinaire). This film has special meaning to me because I was one of the "Blue Babies" whose life they saved. Dr. Taussig was my cardiologist and Dr. Blalock was my surgeon. I never knew of the existence of Vivien Thomas until I saw this film. He was an Afican American carpenter who, against all odds, wanted to be a doctor. He eventally acieved his goal at Johns Hopkins Univ. that finally gave him recognition in 1979. Thank you HBO for making this film, otherwise I would never know of Vivien Thomas' contributions. You will deeply enjoy this film and be drawn into it as you watch a white, egotistical surgeon with a warm heart; a priviledged, compassionate woman who wanted to save dying babies; and a gentle spirited, African American with gifted hands overcome the odds against them in 1940's America. What "SomethingThe Lord Made" was these three,wonderful people, and Vivien Thomas' hands.Something the Lord MadeMovie Review: An Excellent Film, An Excellent Cast
Summary: 5 Stars
HBO has produced an excellent film that will have staying power for years to come. I wish there could be more output of this quality on TV, rather than garbage like "The Five People You Meet in Heaven." Films do not require violence to be good (is anyone listening at the studios??)
Alan Rickman transforms himself from a Brit to a Southerner without a hitch, and we are all the luckier for it. This excellent actor manages to walk that fine line between the admiration for a black colleague's abilities and the accepted racism of the time. Rickman's Alfred Blaylock is neither a villain nor a saint. He is a brilliant doctor whose motives are focused solely on the benefit of the patient. Mos Def also does an excellent job of portraying Vivian Thomas, a man with hopes and aspirations who, like Blaylock, is well aware of the restrictions of the era. The two of them make the most of their working relationship in spite of the black/white issues in the 1930s-1960s. Thank goodness these two, along with Dr. Taussig, managed to break down barriers to save blue babies. This is a top-quality film, and you'll do well to have it in your collection. It's a film for the thinking person.
Movie Review: Something the Lord Made
Summary: 5 Stars
Movies this fine and well written and with performances that are authentic to the characters are not everyday occurrences. And when such a movie is made, it often doesn't receive the recognition it richly deserves. Vivian Thomas' accomplishments within the society in which he lived are remarkable and awesome. It took decades for him to be recognized for his incredible accomplishments that enabled surgeons to accomplish what they did in open heart surgery. We all are indebted to Vivian Thomas for paving the way through his innate skills and self-taught skills which manifested themselves in revolutionary medical equipment and new cardiac surgery techniques. This movie deserves all the praise and honors it receives for depicting this in an authentic manner. This movie is about Vivian Thomas--his life and his accomplishments--set in the time of pioneering thoracic-cardiovascular surgical techniques. Much is made of the works of Dr. Helen Taussig and Dr. Arthur Blalock. But their successes were totally dependent on the inventions and techniques pioneered by Vivian Thomas. I marvel at Vivian Thomas each time I watch it.Movie Review: Medical history masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
As a former Open Heart OR nurse having worked with the likes of Micheal E DeBakey and working next door to the hospital of Denton Cooley, MD my knowledge of this portion of the Blalock/Taussig Shunt procedure was lacking.
I found this film to be wonderfully multifaceted. I watched and listened in awe as this beautifuly told story of Vivian Thomas, who I didn't know of, and the famous Drs. Blalock and Taussig evolves. It is compassionate in the treatment of African-Amrericans of the time and also the egoistic white surgeons and doctor surrounding the ground breaking reseach on heart surgery. Further research by me indicates that the story is as close to historically correct while still maintaining a bit of the drama. Purhaps I was more deeply impacted by the story of Mr Thomas, knowning all too well the status of the ancillary indviduals who surround these famous people. He was a powerful figure, but to a point was only interested in his research and allowed the Doctors to gleen the accolades.
A much watch for all but especially those interested in medical history. Many latex-gloved thumbs up.
Movie Review: What people refused to see then and now
Summary: 5 Stars
I saw this movie also and loved it.
Questions: Why do people feel the need to tell the entire story when giving reviews? Just say what you liked about the movie give your critiques ONLY Some of you folks told the whole d....movie. Also to Acorn "jcorn59483" Blalock is described as "Genius and Unbridled Ambition and Taylor is described as "loyal and dedication" ??? Did you see the same movie as the rest of us. Or are you unaware of your own unconscious prejudices?? Also to another reviewer Did not Taylor have a Major contribution to the valve that saved the life of blue babies ??? Maybe I should see the movie again. You gave the credit to Blalock and some other Caucasian Doctor Only ??
Racism and Prejudices are such complexities of the "American Life" Some of us live it every day and say "What!... Not Me! While others live and deal with it every day! How obsurd to call the genius of Vivien Taylor "loyal and dedicated" This man had No formal medical training yet he went toe to toe with a Doctor who was at the top of his field. Who was the real genius here !