Cut along familiar lines but extraordinarily affecting nonetheless, this HBO original film dramatizes the remarkable triumph of a white surgeon and his black laboratory assistant, who together pioneered lifesaving cardiac surgery but shared the credit unequally. The story's high point takes place in 1944, when Dr. Alfred Blalock (Alan Rickman), aided by Vivien Thomas (Mos Def), a gifted assistant with only a high-school education, manages to redirect blood flow in the heart of a terminally ill baby. Though sufficiently open-minded to recognize Vivien's contribution, the egotistical Southern surgeon can't quite bring himself to publicly share the credit with his African-American helper, who dreams of attending medical school. The oddly cast Rickman affects a convincing Dixie drawl and displays several personality quirks that mark Blalock as a complicated man, while hip-hop star Def does surprisingly well as Thomas, suggesting the unvoiced frustration of a proud man who endures much in the service of a greater good. Gabrielle Union confidently plays Clara Thomas, the strong woman who supports and encourages her husband; Kyra Sedgwick shines as Blalock's feisty wife; and Mary Stuart Masterson contributes a dignified but impressive performance as the founder of pediatric cardiology, Dr. Helen Taussig. A thorough denunciation of segregation, Joseph Sargent's triple-Emmy-award winner doesn't wear its politics on its sleeve; rather the story is tightly focused and intensely personal--making it all the more powerful. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary (by director Joseph Sargent, co-writer Peter Silverman, and executive producers Eric Hetzel and Robert W. Cort), a four-minute behind-the-scenes featurette, and a four-minute “Making History” slideshow featuring background info text, archival photos, and weblinks. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a fine HBO original.] (E. Hulse)
Something the Lord Made
HBO, 110 min., not rated, VHS: $40.98, DVD: $26.98 Volume 20, Issue 2
Something the Lord Made
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As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
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