Something the Lord Made (2004) Online

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.

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 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'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!!

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.

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 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.

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).

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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...

I have been convinced for a long time that good true stories are much better than good fictional ones. Here we have the true story of a ground-breaking and unlikely team. It is 1930 in Nashville and Dr. Alfred Blalock (Brit, Alan Rickman, perfect as a southern doctor) needs a new helper to take care of the dogs he uses to develop new surgical techniques. This young black man with a lady's name, Vivien Thomas (Mos Def in a perfect performance), an out of work carpenter, takes the job because he needs some way to make a living during the Great Depression (1929 to about 1940). But one day Dr. Blalock finds Vivien reading medical books and eventually learns that he has much more to offer than taking care of dogs.

As history now relates, Dr. Blalock at Johns Hopkins was the first to attempt actual heart surgery on humans. Before him, all physicians, world wide, assumed that you could not do that successfully. But, seeing "blue babies" dying young because of circulatory defects, Blalock decided that would be his next quest. But it is unlikely that he could have done it without Vivien Thomas, who had become his multi-talented Lab Assistant. Not only did Thomas function as Blalock's peer in brainstorming sessions to develop the approach, he also developed much of the actual surgical technique and many of the surgical instruments that didn't exist yet. And, in the very first heart surgery on an infant, Blalock depended on Vivien standing next to him, talking him through the procedure. They were a true team, neither of them could have done it as well alone. One of the young doctors learning from them was the now famous Denton Cooley. It is difficult to exaggerate the influence Blalock and Thomas had on surgery since the 1950s.

Not all went smoothly because racial prejudice was very strong. Many traditional physicians were opposed to have a black lab technician in the operating room, but Blalock had such a reputation and influence that he would not let them interfere. The younger doctors, however, were not shy about letting Thomas teach them new surgical techniques.

This is a superb movie that everyone should see. That it was a white doctor and a black technician is not itself important, but it IS important that the two worked together to achieve their goals without ever letting the obstacles deter them. And what a better world we have for it. They are both gone now, but before he died, Vivien Thomas was recognized with the honorary title of 'Doctor' which he easily earned, many times over.

The movie's title comes from a comment by Dr. Blalock, to Vivien Thomas, regarding a surgical procedure Thomas had done inside a dog, it was so perfect that "it looks like something the Lord made."

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'!!!

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.

At first seeing the previews for Something the Lord Made I did not think that this would turn out to be such a wonderful film. HBO's lack of luster in the previews did not do the film justice, after the first 5 minutes I was absolutely hooked. Alan Rickman is brilliant (as I would expect) I think perhaps one of his best roles. He made the viewer feel as if they were there, such great emotion.

Also Mos Def was surprising, I did not know that he was so good of an actor, he played his part perfectly. The connection between the actors really made it difficult to stop watching. It was so good that it even sparked my interest in the true story behind the film. If you are interested in medicine or just in interesting bits of history this is a movie for you. This film is full of deep emotion and it conveys a true and wonderful story.

I feel that it is definitely one for the collection. Absolutely, 100%, Brilliant!

An excellent movie about the life of Vivien Thomas an a how a chance job encounter with Dr. Alfred Blalock turned in to the opportunity to change the world of medicine.

It was finally good to see a movie about a man I had heard many comments about over the years ("the technique for the first heart operation was developed by a black man") but not knowing much else about him (his name, his story, what led him in his chosen path).

It definitely makes you want to read more about Thomas, Blalock, and how such a unique relationship (especially in the 1940's)survived and went on to make medical history.

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.

Alan Rickman is one of the all time under appreciated actors in Hollywood. Whether it be comedy, horror, or a serious role, Alan Rickman has always added to the movies he stars in. In Something the Lord Made, Rickman is the backbone of the movie. He is strong and silent to hide back his true emotions. Representing the old and the bridge to the next generation of doctors and physicians. Mos Def is surprisingly just as good as Rickman. Being the second half of the story, the weight of the film falls on his shoulders almost as much as it does for Rickman. Together, these two completely different actors portray their roles with brilliant ease. Another HBO original film that is worth calling good. A strong and at times compelling true story of how a relationship between these two men changed the world of medicine.

I didn't know exactly what to expect when I began watching this movie. Alan Rickman has always been a favorite actor of mine, but I have seen him get a little "lazy" from time to time. Well, he really pulled out his acting chops for this one. But Mos Def, whom I had never seen before, really blew me away with his nuanced performance of Vivien Thomas. The two of them together created the type of chemistry on screen one can only imagine must have existed between the men they portrayed. The magic they created is shattered by the reality of segregation, and the movie presents this as fact rather than making moral judgments. (That's left for the viewer to examine and judge internally for his or her self.) The movie's pacing, dialogue, and mixture of medical science, surgical "drama", and harsh reality of the times was excellent. All in all, I was amazed by the film, the acting, the story line -- it's worth watching again.

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!

While other reviews focus on the content and plot of the film, I'd like to address the film-making.

This film has taken its place on my top five list for its outstanding script with its artful use of subtext; restrained ensemble acting that makes its emotional currents all the more powerful; insightful, and sensitive direction; authentic set design; a score that enhances and complements emotional tone; and fearless editing.

Like the script for Brokeback Mountain, this one stays faithful to the story it is telling. It doesn't wander or digress but remains true to the message being conveyed. Therefore, the viewer doesn't get lost in unnecessary sub-plots. Each scene moves the story forward and reveals more about these characters--Blalock and Thomas--their relationship, and journey together. The story was told from Thomas' point of view as he wrestled with his conflicting needs for external acknowledgment and recognition vs. his internal need to follow his heart in the form of his "true" work.

While others discussed the racism conveyed by the film, I saw this as a backdrop that added complexity and obstacles to the personal journeys these men were on--much like the Holocaust provided the backdrop to Otto Schindler's evolution from a self-centered businessman to an enlightened human being. We all have obstacles to overcome--internal and external--given the genes we inherit, the families we are born into, and the time, place, and often oppressive social norms surrounding us. The ultimate question is how do we cope with the hand we are dealt? This story was first and foremost about Vivien Thomas' journey and his impact on and relationship with those around him as he fought his own internal battle to live authentically, honorably, and self-expressively.

This movie's dialog was some of the best I've ever heard. One of the most poignant moments comes when the two men are parting. Blalock stops abruptly and makes a short speech, saying that a person has never really lived unless they have regrets. He then says, "I regret.." which had he finished, would have been "on the nose" and far less evocative. Instead, he says simply, "I have regrets." In its brevity, this speech is all the more powerful for what Blalock doesn't say than what he does. We know exactly what he means and feels. And we know that Vivien does too. It is also typical of the Blalock we've come to know. This is dialog at its very best.

Not only is this dialog good but Rickman's delivery is next to perfect. We feel what Blalock feels at that moment--the intensity of his regret and his feelings for Thomas. There is no emotional wall between actor and audience. Rickman invites us in, in a personally intense moment.

Moments like this fill the film from both actors, and even the supporting cast. Dr. Taussig's (Mary Stuart Masterson's) unveiling of Vivien's "likeness" puts us in the audience, feeling her joy in being able to acknowledge her colleague. Clara's (Gabrielle Union's) glance at the copy of Life magazine speaks volumes, as does the derision of Thomas and Blalock by Thomas' predecessor following their pioneering surgery.

Mos Def's portrayal of the mild-mannered, highly-intelligent, yet driven Thomas made learning of his other talents as a rapper all the more astonishing. What a range! His performance was highly nuanced and intricately textured in contrast to Blalock's arrogant and eruptive character. The two actors blended and twisted their personalities like a windy country road that served to demonstrate how human relationships based on common values and commitments bloom into respect to the point of genuine love of cherished friends. And look what that relationship was able to achieve! Was there doubt in anyone's mind that Thomas came to love Blalock when his footing became unsure after hearing his colleague's fate or when he thanked his friends who "could not be here" when finally receiving his long overdue acknowledgment? The performance of each actor enhanced the power of the other. What an example of ensemble acting!

When acting is this uniformly good, as it was in Robert Redford's "Ordinary People," you can bet it's the result of first-rate directing. Shots are varied and supportive of the story and the director appears to genuinely care about the people whose stories he is telling and treats them with much respect. This voice of respect shone through as a narrator far away in the distance but ever-present. Perhaps that's one of the signs of good directing--truly caring about your characters and the story you're telling. Audiences sense it when it's there.

As a boomer around for much of the time during which the story took place and having been in Hopkins and grown up in the area, I found the sets and mood established for the place and times to be very authentic. Great job by the set design folks.

It is difficult to focus on the lighting because the story is so involving, but the emotional content is frequently enhanced not only by the melodious and also understated score, but by some incredible lighting. If you permit yourself the pleasure of watching this film multiple times, look for it. You'll be rewarded.

Editing was tight--almost too tight. I found myself wondering, for example, how and where Vivien got into his bellboy suit and how he could afford to throw it away. The editor discarded any footage that did not contribute directly to the story--thereby, helping to tell it, and only it.

It's astonishing that so much artistic merit could dwell in the heart of such a "small" story not well-known outside of medicine and probably outside of cardiology or Hopkins. The fact that it was produced by HBO and not a big-name studio with a big budget, makes its achievements all the more laudable.

If you're a movie buff or purist, latch onto this one. It can be enjoyed many times over!

I visit IMDb at least once a day. I never posted a comment or voted before. But this film was so moving, I just had to put my two cents in. Once you start watching, you cannot leave.

I was watching TV while eating breakfast and came across this film and decided it would be nice to watch it for a bit, it had obviously just started. I had to leave in half an hour to open my shop. But instead I watched the whole film and opened my shop almost two hours too late! Fortunately there were no angry customers...

When the film finished I instantly wanted to know more, so I went looking for info on the internet and was amazed at what I read. These people, Blalock, Thomas, Taussig, they have done so much for the world. It amazes me how some people can have such an impact on history.

The performances were brilliant throughout, especially Alan Rickman. This is a film I would certainly recommend each and everyone!