User reviews

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.

This movie was heartwarming, inspiring, touching. Mos Def did a brilliant job as did Alan Rickman. I'm not quite sure why it was only made for TV, i guess because it's not garbage like most of what is out there at 9 dollars a ticket! Anyway a must see for those that can catch it on cable, I suggest you tivo it!

There is much to be said about character and Vivian is a man of character that stuck through it all, with no recognition no lights no awards, nothing. Yet through all the hardship and obvious racism he made his mark in history!

I applaud him... Kudos!

And he did it with such grace!

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 have seen this movie at least 8 times since it first appeared last summer and never tire of it. I must add that my entire adult working life has been in the field of medicine so maybe I have more interest than some. The names of the residents in this film are names I have heard throughout my career. I am amazed by the genius of Vivien Thomas (or anyone without medical training who could understand as he did) and at the fact that Doctor Blalock accepted him as an individual (most of the time), without regard to his race or lack of medical education. I cannot think of actors who would have done a better job than Alan Rickman or Mos Def and I applaud them, and the rest of the cast, as well as the producers, for bringing this wonderful story to life. I can only hope it will be available on DVD soon, if not yet. I have told at least 100 people about this movie, without giving away too much detail. If you are interested in medicine, and the development of new procedures that change lives, especially of the very, very young, then this is a movie for you. Even if you do not have a medical background, it is worth seeing for the genius and compassion of those two men who did not allow the racial climate of the times to overpower their desire to make a difference. To all the residents who learned at Hopkins from these two gifted men, be forever grateful that their lives touched yours, albeit briefly. We lost two very gifted men who did an exceptional job of training others to follow in their footsteps. Jeers to the staff members who were ruled by race and education and a firm salute to those who were not. I give it a 10!

I saw this movie this morning in my hotel room in Washington, DC. I was packing to go home as it was on and just a few minutes into it, I had to stop and just sit and watch. I was so moved by it, that I had to wait a while before I could leave. The tears were just streaming down my face. Later, as I was driving home, I passed an exit on the highway that indicated it was the road that eventually led to "Johns Hopkins University". I almost took that exit, but didn't because I had to get home. But I'm determined to soon make that trip to the University if only to spend a few minutes looking at the portrait of Dr. Thomas. What an incredible story and what an incredible actor Mos is. I do not have HBO at home, so I'm hoping that this movie is released on DVD. If it is, I will be purchasing multiple copies to give as gifts. A wonderful, wonderful story acted out by extremely talented actors.

Definitely, ten stars.

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!!

I have had this movie TIVOed for several months now and just got around to seeing it. What a beautiful film! There are so many layers in this film and the relationship between the two main characters was wonderful.

Mos Def completely blew me away. His portrayal of this dignified & brilliant man was inspiring. I hope that young people today see this film because it shows us that there is a way to handle yourself. You can achieve success and happiness without being a hothead, arrogant or rude. We have lost so much in the way of manners.

I guess having a parent who has had 3 heart operations, this film touched a special cord. Cried my eyes out.

A must see.

This was one awe inspiring movie. I watched it by chance because I saw Mos Def's name and I know his work from the Chappelle Show and The Italian Job, so I just wanted to see what his role was in this. Well, needless to say I was moved. I was moved by the movie, the acting, the directing, and mostly by the true historic nature of the movie. The movie was about an African-American man named Vivien Thomas (Mos Def) who, in the 1940's & 50's, made a huge contribution to the medical field. But the movie didn't just show Vivien Thomas the "lab technician", it went into Vivien Thomas' struggle as a black man in an all white environment of Johns Hopkins, and it showed his relationship with his family and his colleague Dr. Blaylock (Alan Rickman), which was just as important as showing his contribution to medical science.

This movie was not a corny attempt to depict an historical figure, it was well thought out and well done. As an African-American myself, it was a breath of fresh air to see a movie so well done about an African-American who has contributed so much but whom we hear about so little.

Can someone explain to me how life is created? Does existence of a human being inflict life upon it? Is life that which thrives through our veins and keeps our senses alive? Or is it just blood?

The true story of two brilliant surgeons (of which one is "colored"), set mostly in the first half of the twentieth century, impresses through the fact that it doesn't waste time on themes which weigh heavily, but have been handled over and over again - such as the issue of racism, especially at those times - but places the whole situation into context, making it feel natural, absolving itself of the need to state words and phrases which would simply be a burden. The film graces the passion for work, it emphasizes the value of heart - both literally and metaphorically.

Given that Blalock and Thomas were pioneers in the so sophisticated domain of heart surgery, "Something the Lord Made" denotes, with great subtleness, that connecting things together and connecting people goes beyond what the eye can see and that these connections are as divine as they come. In addition, Joseph Sargent compellingly portrays the relationship between two people, so different considering their place in society, that this unavoidably affects the way they relate to one another.

Both Rickman and Def slip into character with great authenticity, obviously being what they are supposed to be: different and yet so similar. What binds them is their common love for life. Caring for the other has never felt so real. Despite some small issues, such as the rather curious visualization of the character's aging process, "Something the Lord Made" is a convincing and emotionally loaded picture in motion, saying what it's got to say about the world.

This is absolutely one of the most inspirational movies I've ever seen. The story line was great - The life and times of one of the greatest surgeons the United States has ever produced (Alfred Blalock), played by Alan Rickman, along with his lab assistant Vivien Thomas, played by Mos Def. The acting was superb. If anyone has studied medical history, we are perhaps more familiar with the work of Denton Cooley and William Longmire. Both have spots in this movie, as students of Dr. Blalock. I highly recommend this movie. It is very much a surprise how the lives of these two men - Blalock and Thomas could have been overlooked for so long. Because of their work with "Blue Babies", they both have achieved immortality. The rating of "R" stems only from the sometimes strong (but very real) language.

For a made for TV movie, this was pretty good. I had never heard of Mos Def, but he did a great job in the role of Viven Thomas. Also, it was weird hearing Alan Rickman as a southerner. I expect to hear his classic British accent, but then the drawl came out. So weird. But overall, this was a really good medical drama, highlighting people that usually don't receive more credit in the world.

I admit it - I was angry that HBO gave 'The Sopranos' a week off in order to air this movie... So much so that I didn't even watch the premiere. But moping around after the Piston's blew a huge lead against the Laker's in game 2 of the NBA finals, I was flipping through and saw that it was on again. I thought to myself, 'Why not? there must be some reason they replaced 'The Sopranos' that week'. Indeed... This is a heartfelt, emotional, and inspiring film filled with performances of the like. Granted, it has its fair share of "cheesy" devices and predictability, but then again, so does "King Lear." I knew I recognized the main actor, but couldn't quite put my finger on it... Was I surprised (as well as ashamed) to learn here that it was Mos Def. I had always dismissed him as a 'hip-hop/rapper-actor' wannabe. He made me eat those words though, by delivering a simply OUTSTANDING performance... and while he and Rickman really carry the film, the supporting cast does a nice job as well.

10/10 (which I don't take lightly).

Great movie with exceptional performances. Wasn't expecting it to be that good. Definitely worth a watch.

As with many "true story" films created in the U.S. these days this one is full of half-truths, stretches and flat out lies. Such films only succeed with those among us who do not "research" the "movie facts". Anytime I see miraculous events and Disney-like truism in a movie I hit the Internet and research the film. Rarely does the film hold up under scrutiny and this film is no exception. I would not be surprised that most who rate this highly have not researched the true facts. For instance, the machine he invented alone in the movie was actually a joint collaboration. The brilliant sewing technique he supposedly came up with in the movie was actually the idea of the female doctor. There is a long list of such twists. The contributions of the white doctors were totally ignored to build up this guy. How fair is that?

Many do not realize that this film was based on an "article" written by a female journalist who interviewed his "wife" for these "facts". The article itself is jam packed with hearsay like "the doctor thought". How does she know what the doctor thought? But she needed to sell an article and seemingly miraculous events always make good copy. There are numerous articles online about such propaganda like the movie "Charlie Wilson's War". We need good black role models but reinventing facts to create them is a bad way to go about it.

PS. As with the other negative reviews that I found of this film expect to find this one way at the end of the others where it will most likely not be read. Hooray for the First Amendment! Yea right!

One of the earmarks of a great true story on film is that, when it's over, you find yourself wishing it had been longer and wanting to know more about the subject. This is definitely the case with "Something the Lord Made." I can't wait to do a little reading up on this very intriguing story! Alan Rickman as Alfred Blalock is excellent, as he always is, but the real pleasure is in watching Mos Def as Vivien Thomas. Through his lovely, subtly nuanced performance, we are able to truly appreciate this incredibly gifted and complex man. The writers did an excellent job of making the viewer aware of the racial climate in Viven Thomas' life; note the early scene in which Vivien and a friend are walking and talking, and each time some white people approach them on the sidewalk, they step aside and yield right of way without hesitation. And yet, there is no heavy-handedness or preachy air to these scenes. The racial injustices that Vivien Thomas endured are obvious, but the viewer is not clubbed over the head with them.

The performances of both Alan Rickman & rapper Mos Def shine brightly in this film of racism, perseverance, & the pursuit of advancements in medical science/surgery. Rickman's self-righteous & pompous Dr. Alfred Blaylock compliments greatly Mos Def's quiet, determined, & passive-aggressive role as lab assistant/technician Vivien Thomas.

The two men met at a time when medical science was headed for major discoveries & taking chances was not the order of the day. During the 30's & 40's, America was a different place for people of color in the negative sense & the medical community offered little or no opportunities for non-whites as well. Most people of color worked menial labor jobs liked servants or skilled craftsmen & lived with no luxuries & not much hope for more. Vivien Thomas, a carpenter by trade, stumbles upon a job assisting prominent surgeon & professor Dr. Alfred Blaylock. The snobbish Blaylock working on experiments to cure patients of shock to no avail. Soon, Dr. Blaylock discovers that Vivien is more than just a lowly assistant but a very intelligent young man yearning for a chance to prove himself to the powers that be. Vivien develops new techniques & surgical devices to create a "blue dog" & a way to reverse the condition. Realizing the potential to turn the medical community on its ear, Dr. Blaylock takes Thomas on a long & arduous journey with him through bigotry, scientific discovery, tension between the two men themselves, & successful "blue baby" surgeries. Although Thomas did not receive the notoriety & accolades that usually come with advances in medicine, he carried on for many years working with & teaching doctors his techniques Johns Hopkins. Thomas was elevated to Director of Surgical Services but still had not reached his ultimate goal. Finally after the death of longtime partner & friend Dr. Blaylock, Thomas was awarded an honorary doctorate of medicine by his colleagues & the prestigious Johns Hopkins. After a lifetime of self-sacrifice, determination, & love of medicine, Thomas had arrived & felt the satisfaction he always wanted; Vivien Thomas was now a face in the medical community that had shunned him for so long.

"Something the Lord Made" is a feast for the heart & the mind. All those who view this movie will walk away with better appreciation for those individuals who made the ultimate sacrifices in their own lives to change our existence for the positive. Rickman & Mos Def play off each other brilliantly & make you believe. Rickman always gives you everything called for in a role & does not disappoint in this film. I was most impressed with Mos Def's performance & gained a newfound respect for this young actor.

If you are not "moved" by this film, you'd better check your pulse. Your heart may need some fixin'!!!

IF Alan Rickman wasn't enough to draw me into this movie, the fact that the producers were NOT going to give us a hero movie, showing no imperfections of the real people portrayed would have made me buy it.

A Southerner myself, I know this kind of aristocratic driven Southern male was quite believable. During segregation times, people would attend church regularly, call themselves 'Christian' and make black people sit on the back of the bus....never reacting when the bus driver would get up and move the sign back, forcing blacks to rise and whites to get seats. Of course, those were the NICE whites. This movie beautifully shows that fact that some blacks did NOT meekly accept their mistreatment.

Though Vivian Thomas was not as aggressive as his brother, who sued the Nashville Board of Education to get equal pay for black school teachers, he nonetheless felt deeply the indifference the white doctors showed him. By not giving him the credit he deserved in performing this revolutionary operation on a blue baby, these doctors showed just how deeply the injustice of segregation was instilled in them. A more is some value you don't question, and the 'slightly less human' condition of black people in the South in my youth (and this time of the movie) was one of those mores.

To watch him work on the dog, closing his eyes to better feel the conjunction of the various heart arteries, I was wonderfully impressed. That doctor who was the consultant on this movie did an excellent job. The fact that even those who were complicit in the discrimination shown Vivian Thomas did not flinch from showing it in this movie impresses me no end.

For those of you not born in this time, you will find it difficult to believe but this mistreatment was not considered so during those years. The fact that Thomas lived in the slums while his colleague lived in a mansion is well illustrated. The only way he got to see his colleague honored in the Baltimore hotel was to pretend he was a lackey bringing in the suitcases. More insidious, the white surgeon portrayed by Rickman made no effort to invite him. The only indication that he had a conscience about this was his expression of 'vague regrets' when Thomas is wheeling him around in his wheelchair toward the end of his life.

Just about everything HBO Films produces is excellent, but this film rises into the higher levels of the stratosphere. Everything excellent about filmmaking can be found in this superb production. The story is one of the most compelling pieces of drama one could ever ask for. Medical history, black history --you name it --this film has it, and weaves a fact-based plot equal to any docu-drama ever made.

Needless to say Rickman and Def captivate us throughout the film--their regrets, frustrations, bonding, harmony and abrasiveness found between any two historic collaborators. What they achieved is one of the most significant advances in medicine ever! And the poignant life of Vivian Thomas who finally receives his just rewards--ah, the stuff that makes us all marvel at his steadfastness, his honor, his talent and pride!

This film will garner many rewards and will deserve every one of them. Hats off to the geniuses at HBO!

This movie offers a surprisingly low-key account of the work of Dr. Alfred Blalock (Alan Rickman) and especially his assistant Vivien Thomas (Mos Def) who, working together, created the techniques that led to the first successful heart surgery in the world. It's ostensibly a medical movie, and it does include a lot of medical jargon which, in all honesty, was over my head although it made the point that this was truly revolutionary work they were pioneering. And yet, while the movie revolved around medical experiments and surgeries, it was much more than that. Without becoming a movie about the civil rights struggle, the movie was definitely set in that context. As a black man, Thomas (who wanted to go to medical school but couldn't afford it) had to deal with all the assorted challenges of living in that time - segregation, racism and a general lack of respect from those among whom he worked. Even Blalock, who obviously did respect Thomas and his knowledge and abilities and who did fight to improve Thomas' salary and working conditions, seemed to take him for granted at times, not understanding Thomas' reaction at being given no public credit for the work in which he had shared (and in which he was, in many ways, more knowledgeable of and more proficient in than Blalock.) The complexities of such an inter- racial partnership were well portrayed in one simple scene where Blalock shows up at Thomas' home one night. Thomas' wife tells him that in 12 years he's never come to their home; Blalock responds that in 12 years he's never been invited to come to their home. As closely as Blalock and Thomas worked, they were still two solitudes - the point was briefly but well made, and it has to be noted that both Rickman and Def were excellent in their respective roles.

The conclusion was appropriate, as we finally see Thomas get the credit he deserved for his work, being granted an honorary doctorate by Johns Hopkins, where he and Blalock had perfected their heart surgery techniques and having his portrait hung on the wall beside Blalock's. One certainly couldn't call this an exciting movie, but it has important stories (medical, social and biographical) to tell. 7/10

I shouldn't have liked this - not a fan of HBO 'original' movies, nor rap stars turned actors. Great movies are made by studios or independents, not networks. Great actors come from the world of acting; not singing, painting or sports. Heck, I don't even like Barbara Streisand, in either discipline. But Queen Latifa did very well in "Bone Collector" and LL Cool J didn't quite ruin "Deliver Us From Eva." The HBO description sounded like a good story, so I gave it a chance...

WOW. Excellent story, very fine acting, authentic looking cinematography, compelling and well-developed screenplay; and a real zing for your heartstrings. The particular subject matter is interesting enough, but the real story is the human relationships, both within/among the characters & American society. As we travailed through the growing pains of integration and striving for equality whether by race, gender or social class distinction; the story of how we coped and progressed has seldom been depicted with such artistic clarity. Also, a real Believe In Yourself, Do What You Love, Don't Give Up kind of story.

Not a perfect film, might seem a bit slow-paced at times for some, but very engrossing. Along with the lead actors who portrayed their characters wonderfully, Kyra Sedgwick also turned in another fine appearance. Watching it unfold it was easy to become involved, by the end I was very pleasantly surprised to be reminded that the brilliant young leading man was Mos Def. I certainly didn't expect such a performance, but gladly admit he's most definitely a fine actor.

Glad to see it's available on DVD, definitely a MUST-SEE.

Back in November i made a sweeping statement that rappers cannot act . After making that statement a myspace friend (opiniohaver) told me to have a look at " Something the Lord Made " and check out the acting of rapper Mos Def . I have done and it have got to admit i was wrong because Mos Def was superb . In fact he's better than his highly experienced co star Alan Rickman.

Alfred Blalock is chief surgeon at Johns Hopkins University, where he is pioneering new techniques in heart surgery. Blalock makes the acquaintance of Vivien Thomas , a carpenter hired to work at the University, and to his surprise discovers a man of keen intelligence who has a great interest in medicine. However, as a poor black man in the Jim Crow South, Thomas lacks the financial resources to obtain a medical degree, though he certainly has the knowledge and the desire.

Blalock takes Thomas on as his lab assistant, and together they develop a technique that allows them to correct a common congenital heart defect in children. However, while they work side by side in the lab and in the operating room, Blalock and Thomas do not walk the same paths in society, and Thomas develops a deep resentment that he has been given little credit for his contribution to a medical innovation that makes Blalock famous

Not only is Mos Def's display good the film is really good too. I'm always a little weary of films made for TV or Cable . They sometimes look a little cheap and they don't usually get much critical acclaim. To be fair films made for HBO are usually the exception and What the Lord Made can sit along side most mainstream movies and hold it's head up high.

It is quite an emotional movie that focuses a lot on the fact that Thomas did not receive the acclaim he deserved for the medical breakthrough in heart surgery from his boss or from the medical fraternity .

When he finally received the credit he deserves , his mentor ( or was he the mentor?) was long gone.

Its not made clear as to why Blalock did not give Thomas any credit when he was receiving accolades from his fellow doctors . I'm sure he wasn't racist , unlike some of his colleagues . perhaps he felt that they would not respect him as match if he credited a black man? I don't suppose we will ever know.

The film has some really interesting news reel clips of what was happening with the race and student riots back in the early sixties and they only add to what is an enjoyable , informative movie.

This film won three Emmy's and was nominated for two Golden Globes. That says it all.

At least i know now that there is one rapper who can act but are there any more?

7 out of 10

Movies that are inspired by true events, are either watchable, or too painful to watch. This movie, "Something the Lord Has Made" is really a movie that touched many others. Here we got two men who made history together, despite the times of segregation, and racial inequality. Dr. Alfred Blalock(Alan Rickman) is a fine, yet harried surgeon who takes an African-American maintenance worker as a lab technician. Vivien Thomas(Mos Def) is a carpenter, who wants to get into the medical field. Does he ever get. Dr. Blalock calls him up and helps him with a rather difficult heart surgery. Determination was a main factor for both of these men. Blalock with the medical knowledge, and Thomas for his carpentry knowhow and mental instincts. That gives him the edge. Trust builds up between the two, and his other coworker laughs at his attempts to do better. Thomas has determination, his coworker did not. Another doctor saw his work, and requests him to help him with the surgery. The race gap closes there. If it hadn't been for those two men, history wouldn't have been made. A close friend of mine been there, where they were honored. The ending was a little heart-wrenching, yet motivational at the same time. This movie is a must see! 5 Stars!

This star studded cast is a wonderful film that tells the story of the first bypass surgery! Dealing with the situation at the time of Vivien Thomas.

Played beautifully by rapper Mos Def, and lead by the amazingly talented Alan rickman. RIP! But what a great story and one that touched home.

The work of these great man have had an immense impact on saving countless lives including that of my late father who had a triple bypass.

If you Google the blue baby you'll be able to read about the story and how the times were..

From a great cast, to great writing, to great directing. This is an emotional and beautifully told story,

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...