Medici per la vita

I'm a physician who has been involved with children with congenital heart disease, including "blue babies." This movie will move you, regardless of who you are. Drs. Blalock & Taussig, whose ingenious procedure is used to convey the aspects of this film (Blalock-Taussig Shunt), were two of my 'heros.' The amazing genius and operative dexterity of surgical research phenomenon Vivian Thomas, and his focus on, love for, and persistence with his work against seemingly unscale-able obstacles, in superbly portrayed by Mos Def. His achievements, out of his background and lack of opportunities, made me feel that I should have been able to do much more than I have, given how much more was just handed to me. We should all feel we can accomplish greatly, and without resorting to destructive acts or words, when seeing the manner with which this class-act man performed. The depiction of the incredible bravery of Blalock, Taussig, and Thomas, who were embarking on not just uncharted, but forbidden surgical waters, warned that if such an "adventure" went awry, they'd be "on their own", made me feel timid and lacking in fortitude, by comparison. SEE (actually FEEL) THIS MOVIE!!

It's gratifying to know that I'm not the only one who was surprisingly moved by this story. I had known only a tiny part of the story before the movie: that a white surgeon and a black technician developed the process that could save "blue babies." That's a huge accomplishment, but only a portion of the story.

Alan Rickman does a splendid job portraying Dr. Blalock. There are a few moments when his southern accent slips and a little British comes through, but in terms of portrayal of the character, he is convincing. Blalock is ambitious, and in fact so focused on his professional and medical goals that sometimes he's clueless as to what others are going through to get him what he wants. He's also at turns arrogant and compassionate...exactly what one would have to be to do what he did. One thing the movie communicates very effectively is just how much of a revolution this surgery was: not merely operating on a baby heart, Dr. Blalock opened the gate to surgery on *any* human heart. Rickman doesn't overdo it, but he gets the character across.

Mos Def steals the show, however, in his subtle portrayal of Vivien Thomas. There's no grandstanding in this performance; he makes us believe that we know Thomas, and that to know him is to love him. He plays a man who had more character in his little finger than most people find in their whole lives, and he does it with zero ham. It isn't just that he gives an understated performance...he becomes this man who feels deeply even though he doesn't express it loudly. You see it in his eyes, in his pauses, in his voice. It's hard to describe, except to say that beneath the calm, quiet, even deferential exterior there is, undeniably, a whole person, a fully human, noble, wise, mature, gracious character.

A previous commentator asks if the presentation, near the end of the story, of an honorary degree was supposed to be an apotheosis of sorts. Perhaps. I suspect, however, that it isn't the conferring of a degree but the unveiling of the portrait, that actually vindicates Thomas and lifts him to his place in the medical pantheon of Johns-Hopkins' larger-than-life wonder-workers. At the end of the film, Vivien is sitting in the lobby, looking at his own portrait next to that of Blalock's when he's paged as "Dr. Thomas." He has to wipe the tears from his eyes to respond to the page. Maybe it's the degree and the portrait together.

The same commentator asked whether the film omitted mention of Thomas's eventual title. Actually, there's a scene immediately after their arrival in Baltimore in which the Director of Laboratories gives Vivien some money and tells him to bring coffee and a donut. At the end of the film, when Blalock calls Vivien's office, we see Vivien's title on the office door: Director of Laboratories. The irony is sweet.

This is a compelling, touching film, with wonderful performances all around.

In 1930, the skilled carpenter Vivien Thomas (Yasiin Bey) loses his job and is hired by the arrogant Dr. Alfred Blalock (Alan Rickman) as a janitor in Vanderbilt. But soon Vivien is promoted to lab technician due to his skills. Vivien expects to join the medical school but his savings are lost in the Great Depression. Dr. Blalock moves to the Johns Hopkins University and brings Vivien with him. Along the years, they develop the bypass surgery using dogs as guinea pigs. When they save the first blue baby, their surgery technique becomes a worldwide success. But Vivien has no credit for his accomplishment. Will time correct this omission?

"Something the Lord Made" is a wonderful film that discloses the story of the first bypass surgery. The situation of Vivien Thomas is heartbreaking, in a period of great racism in the United States of America. The conclusion of this true story is gratifying and moving. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Quase Deuses" ("Near Gods")

I actually avoided this movie for awhile..my mistake..It was so exhilarating...the characters were so real....and it reveals the true state of racial bias in the thirties/forties without harping...the real story is about the relationship between two very diverse people who shared a common dream....excellent performances by Richman and Def! What an understated overwhelming story...told in a poignant fashion over the background of the Depression, WW II, and the history of modern surgery!!

I got so very interested in the procedures, I had to scour the internet to research the story... This is the first I recall seeing Mos Def. He was so believable...

As a fan of Mos Def, as soon as i saw the preview for this movie i knew it would be quality stuff. The tempo and feeling of the movie were perfect, no over the top acting or unnecessary scenes. As someone stated earlier, the racial issues of the time were touched on perfectly but not focused on. Mos is a true renaissance man...he makes good music, plays bass guitar, does Broadway, as well as movies. He is slowly approaching superstar status, but is not chasing it as many do. I think this performance will certainly bring this talented performer the recognition he deserves. The sky is the limit for this guy.

As an African-American screenwriter, it dismays me to always see "films" like soul plane and the like represent black film today. There are so many stories to be told, history and themes to be explored. This film made me proud.