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September 29, 2008
Something the Lord Made (2004)
Should I see it?
Yes.


Short Review: Serious and heartfelt, this movie wants to inspire and does just that.

Something the Lord Made

This is a good movie, however, it lacks visual strength and style. Additionally, the script is at times a little flat. Despite these weaknesses, the topic is riveting and Alan Rickman and Mos Def offer performances that compensate for the weak points of the script. The story involves a large amount of medical drama, which in many cases doesn’t translate well to screen. Thanks to the performances, this one manages to be worth while.

Cardiologist Dr. Alfred Blalock’s (Rickman) and Vivien Thomas’ (Mos Def…or is that Mr. Def?) work to find a cure for “blue babies” and invent bypass surgery along the way while living under a segregated society. I give this film credit for one thing, it didn’t pander once. In films about race it is very easy for the filmmakers to treat the audience either like: a) children who need to be told to love one another or b) viciously racist children who need to told to love one another. Often filmmakers make the mistake of assuming the general audience hasn't moved in their views on race since the time prior to The Civil Rights Era. This film also lacks something that is in the DNA of most films involving race relations – the proud white liberal who comes to save the day for those hapless oppressed blacks. This is most obvious in Civil Rights Era pieces such as Ghosts of Mississippi. African American are oppressed by overweight white Southern crackers and white East-coast liberals sweep in and beat back the ugly head of racism. We can’t get big films made about Medgar Evers but we have a dozen celebrating the underdog civil right court battles of New York liberal lawyers.

I am way out in left field. Let me come back.

Mos Def (a.k.a. Dante Bezé, Bizet Dante, Smith Dante, MosDef, Dante Terrell Smith, Dante Smith and/or Black Star) is in full effect in this movie and brings a heart to the piece that would otherwise be missing.

The film will certainly will be forgotten as time goes on but that shouldn’t discourage you from seeing it. There is some good being done in this film, it just isn’t resounding.


Related Reviews:
Mos Def movies
Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy (2005)
16 Blocks (2006)


Other Critic's Reviews:
DVD Verdict
Variety


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posted by Michelle Obama's Left Nut at 9:00 AM




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