It could be interesting how a single film can handle two major problems that are not intersected with each other in any logical way. The problem of racial segregation as phenomena in the middle of the past century was a sensitive subject that shows how the public opinion despite living in a country that defends human rights can put limits on a person. On the other hand a problem of Blue Baby Syndrome and how the field of heart surgery can be opened to new horizons and abilities. These two problems were delicately joined in the main plot of the film “Something the Lord Made” that shows that ambitions, hard work and talent can overcome all the obstacles to deliver one of the most important biomedical discoveries of the past century.
In the forties of 20th century Alfred Blalock, a surgeon from God, has made a revolution in medicine. Working in one of the hospitals of Baltimore, he has developed a technique of operations to rescue the children with a congenital heart disease, with the constant mutual guidance and help of a black technician Vivien Thomas who became his colleague, his irreplaceable assistant and best friend. The public opinion could not reconcile to this scandalous fact in any way, and as a result under the threat has become not only their friendship, but also the continuation of their joint researches.
The approach taken by this film that distinguishes him from other films with similar directions is its delicacy in presenting the background for the medical accomplishments made. The film does not pose itself as an out loud experience of the blacks, nor does it present a protagonist and antagonist image in the plot. The film mainly makes a duo in which a collaboration of bright mind, skills and talent that set aside all the realties of the outside when it comes to finding new ways to save people’s life. The film makes it clear that even the conflicts and the arguments that arise between Blalock and Thomas are merely based on their characters’ personalities rather than on any racial or social prejudices.
Although at first the credit is not given to Vivien at the wave of the success of their operation, Blalock later in his life acknowledges his regrets about this, which can be explained in different manners such as ignorance, the social rules at that time that might have never appreciated Vivien despite being credited, or Blalock’s personality. However, it is the love of Vivien to the work of his life that made him forget his umbrage and return to work despite being ignored when the success reached his discoveries.
The film in general points out that, major discoveries come through joint circumstances, some of which can be painful and others can be unbelievable. It is the documentary background of this film that shows serendipity in the situation on how a carpenter can become a Director of Laboratories at Johns Hopkins, be awarded an honorary doctorate and have his portrait hung in the rotunda of the hospital without having a degree, especially considering that his live for his work prevented him from going to the university at first place.
This film is a great example on how discoveries are made. It is not just a straight forward routine with pre-set steps, i.e. school, college, and working at the hospital. Sometimes they are made of coincidences and opportunities combined with ambitions and hard work.
Works Cited
Something the Lord Made. Dir. Joseph Sargent. Perfs. Alan Rickman, Mos Def. 2004. DVD. HBO Home Video.