(Drama) Something the Lord Made tells the emotional true story of two men who defied the rules of their time to launch a medical revolution, set against the backdrop of the Jim Crow south. Working in 1940s Baltimore on an unprecedented technique for performing heart surgery on "blue babies," Dr. Alfred Blalock (Alan Rickman) and lab technician Vivien Thomas (Mos Def) form an impressive team. As Blalock and Thomas invent a new field of medicine, saving thousands of lives in the process, social pressures threaten to undermine their collaboration and tear their friendship apart.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary:Audio commentary with director Joseph Sargent, writer Peter Silverman, executive directors Eric Hetzel and Joseph W. Cort Featurette Making History Slide Show
Featurette
Other:Making History Slide Show

Something the Lord Made recounts the relationship between Dr. Alfred Blalock (Alan Rickman) and Vivian Thomas (Mos Def). It begins in 1930s Nashville when imperious cardiac surgeon Blalock hires Thomas, an African American carpenter, as his janitor. When the latter reveals a passion for medicine and facility with surgical instruments, Blalock promotes him to lab tech. Thomas isn't given a raise, works side jobs to make ends meet, and is expected to be grateful. Along the way, he follows Blalock from Vanderbilt to Johns Hopkins, where they save thousands of lives through their pioneering work, but will Thomas ever get any credit? The film provides a satisfying answer to that question. Joseph Sargent (A Lesson Before Dying) directs with subtlety and intelligence, while Rickman and Mos Def are in top form, often underplaying where most actors would do otherwise. Something the Lord Made won the 2004 Emmy for outstanding made-for-TV movie. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Customer Rating:
Summary: Something The Lord Made
Comment: Title is a little misleading. This is not a so called Christian Movie, but there are several references about Christianity or God in it. There is quite a bit ow swearing, and I suppose it did happen.

Now about the movie. It is an excellent tribute to those who pioneered heart surgery. Although it is about surgery, there is as much said about racial problems and progress as well.

We need more movies about true stories that help shape our country.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: great film
Comment: mos def did a great job in this film. this is one of my favorite movies because it shows how one black man rose above the odds to do something with his life and follow his dreams. although it took years for him to receive credit he did in the end. great film.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: SOMETHING THE LORD MADE
Comment: A MUST SEE MOVIE.I'VE BEEN RETIRED FROM THE U.S. GOV'T FOR EIGHT YEARS. AFTER SEEING THIS MOVIE AGAIN I'M NOW IN COLLEGE.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: One Of Rickman's BEST, and that is Saying Something...
Comment: The plot is incredible, and other reviewers have covered that aspect quite well. The performances are beyond compare. If you know Rickman's work, you realize he is known for having one of the best voices in the world, combined with intelligence and excellence in every scene. Never once, in this film, do you doubt he is an American from the South. I was a huge fan before I purchased this. I was amazed that this was the same man. This film illustrates that the quality and depth of his ability has not yet been fully showcased.

Rickman becomes the characters he plays - they do not become him. Acting is defined as the art of reacting. Alan Rickman defines excellence in this film. It is worth viewing again and again, both for the message and for the performances.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: enjoyable
Comment: i haven't seen this movie in a long time and i only saw it the one time, but i remember it being really good.

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