I recently discovered a film that has Alan Rickman in it called Something The Lord Made, and it is an absolutely incredible piece of work. It is based on a true story about the first heart surgery ever performed by Doctor Alfred Blalock and Doctor Vivienne Thomas. The events happen in a time period of about 15 years, from 1930 to 1945. The story begins in Nashville, Tennessee, in a time when African Americans were treated less than whites in society, especially in the South. Vivienne Thomas, an African American man who was previously working as a carpenter was offered a post as a janitor, that’s right, a janitor for Doctor Blalock. Doctor Blalock is almost immediately impressed with his desire and interest in the human body and anatomy, so he allows him to start working with him in research. At the time they met, Doctor Blalock was working on finding cures for shock. In the movie, you really learn what kind of person Doctor Blalock was. He was very committed to proving things wrong, and being the first one to accomplish the "impossible" at the time. I love this man because he has many of the attributes and attitudes that I possess in myself. If you ask any of my teachers, they will tell you I am always looking for big projects to do; projects that have never been done before. I don't care how much research and work needs to be done, all I care about is the feeling I get when I accomplish something exceedingly hard, something beyond the complexity and intelligence of my years. I seek exception. It also helps too, perhaps, that the role of Doctor Blalock was played by an amazing Actor: Alan Rickman. If the character wasn't portrayed amazingly well, it wouldn't have done him justice. Alan was nominated for Best Actor because of his outstanding performance, and now I see why. For a Brit, he pulls of an impressive Southern Tennessee accent. My favorite thing, or attribute the movie so expertly conveys is the unique, genuine and respectful relationship that the Doctor and Vivienne had. He didn't accept jobs if they didn't accept his friend. To Doctor Blalock, Vivienne was a regular person, no different from anyone else. He deeply respected him, and considered him his superior in surgical performance. In fact, when he was to perform the heart surgery, he personally paged Vivienne to help him and walk him through it because they wouldn’t page a black person. That kind of trust between a black man and a white man was unseen in that time. Anyway, the chemistry between Rickman and Mos Def (plays Vivienne Thomas) was irresistible. The acting of all the cast was top-notch, and the story was incredible, absolutely incredible!!!!
Well, that's all for now,
DINGBAT OUT!!!!!
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