Something the Lord Made

Here's another movie based on historical events. This one, though, is not depressing - quite the opposite, in fact - it's inspirational and moving.
-
It's 2004's Something the Lord Made, an HBO film starring Alan Rickman and Mos Def.
-
Starting about the time of the great depression, it tells the true story of Alfred Blalock (Rickman), a pioneering cardiologist, who hires an African-American lab assistant, Vivian Thomas (Mos Def). Thomas soon becomes much more useful than just sweeping floors. He manufactures new surgical tools and even assists Blalock in radically new procedures. Together they try to cure Blue babies - babies with a terminal heart condition.
-
This movie shows some of the racial tensions of the time (although understated at times), and a really cool time when surgeons had to build their own equipment.
-
Rickman (as always) and Mos Def are both spectacular. This is a must-see!