Something the Lord Made (2004)

Film Overview
"Something the Lord Made" is an HBO television drama movie produced in 2004, directed by Joseph Sargent. The film narrates the groundbreaking story of a renowned heart surgeon, Dr. Alfred Blalock (Alan Rickman), and the extremely skilled carpenter-turned-laboratory professional, Vivien Thomas (Mos Def). It is a poignant movie about scientific discovery, racial inequality, and the unmentioned collaboration in between these two people as they leader an innovative heart surgery technique.

Plot Summary
The film starts in 1930, with Blalock working in Vanderbilt University and Thomas hired as a janitor and quickly promoted to a lab service technician due to his extraordinary skills and intelligence. In spite of the extreme realities of Jim Crow-era segregation, the collaboration in between Thomas and Blalock leads to significant medical developments.

Most of the film concentrates on their work at Johns Hopkins University, where they discover a surgical option for heaven infant syndrome. The syndrome, tetralogy of Fallot, is a deadly congenital heart flaw in babies, and the development of the Blalock-Thomas-Taussig shunt delivers a new lease of life for these kids.

Racial Challenges
An essential subplot in the film focuses on the racial inequalities of the time. Thomas, an African-American worker, was critical in the success of the surgical treatments, developing much of the methods utilized. However, in spite of his tremendous contributions, he dealt with discrimination, being paid a janitor's wage initially and not being given due recognition for his work.

Climax and Conclusion
The climax of the movie takes place when Thomas assists in performing the revolutionary surgical treatment on an infant. In spite of not being a licensed physician, Thomas's precise knowledge and skill help make sure the treatment's success. Thomas's dream of participating in Medical School was soon lived due to monetary battles and racial inequalities, positioning him in an uncomfortable place of undisputedly being a man behind crucial improvements, yet unable to hold the title officially.

In the end, Blalock acknowledges Thomas's work, which left a big mark in case history. Blalock's follower, Dr. Longmire, provides an honorary doctorate to a senior Thomas. The film closes with Thomas going into an auditorium filled with applause and recognition from a pleased audience of physicians. After 34 years of service, Vivien Thomas was finally publicly acknowledged as a substantial figure in the history of surgical science.

Effect of the Film
"Something the Lord Made" is a moving portrayal of a substantial yet often overlooked collaboration in medical history. The film got important recognition, highlighting the trials and perseverance, the innovation and dedication of Dr. Alfred Blalock and Vivien Thomas. It demonstrates how their advancement created hope for many children struggling with a formerly incurable heart condition.

Last Thoughts
This movie sheds light on the important contributions of Vivien Thomas to the world of medication and surgical treatment amidst difficulty. "Something the Lord Made" stresses the value of recognizing surprise figures who have shaped our world in significant methods, no matter their title or status.

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