Something the Lord Made – A Reflection

It was my first time watching Something the Lord Made, and I was truly moved by the film. I found myself tearing up at several points. The performances were outstanding, especially Alan Rickman’s and Yasiin Bey’s, with Rickman delivering a particularly powerful portrayal.

The film’s depiction of the real-life events stayed mostly faithful to the actual story, capturing the essence of the historical relationship between Dr. Alfred Blalock and Vivien Thomas. It reflected the challenges of race relations in the West up until recent decades, yet it also showed how things were beginning to change. Despite the unfairness of the times, the movie portrays how compassion and creativity broke through those barriers, revealing how God’s presence can be seen in the lives and talents of the two main characters.

What also stood out to me was Dr. Blalock’s adventurous spirit. He decided to move forward with a groundbreaking surgery, a decision that went against the social norms and expectations of the time. His willingness to take risks and break boundaries, despite the racial and societal barriers, reflected his innovative mindset and courage. This is where his character, alongside Vivien Thomas, truly demonstrated not just medical expertise but an openness to challenge conventions in the pursuit of something greater. It is a powerful reminder of how embracing an adventurous spirit can lead to world-changing breakthroughs.

Two moments especially stood out to me. First, the scene where Dr. Blalock feels the sutures that Vivien Thomas applied during an operation on a test subject. He says, “Vivien, that was as close to perfect as I’ve ever seen. It was like something the Lord made.” What a compliment and affirmation of Thomas’s genius and hard work! More profoundly, it was a recognition of how we are made in the image of our Creator, who is full of creativity and compassion.

The second scene that touched me deeply was when Dr. Blalock came home late after a long day, and his wife says, “Alfred, your daughter said she wants to be your patient when she grows up so she can see more of you.” This moment really struck me. It reflects the internal conflict between his responsibilities as a father and his groundbreaking work, which consumed so much of his time. This dilemma compels us, the audience, to grapple with the complexity of human nature, the moral challenges of life, and the realization that things are rarely as simple as right and wrong. It challenges you to reflect deeply and examine your own worldview.

The production value was high, and the film gave me much to reflect on during and after watching it. It was not just a well-made movie but also one that made me feel deeply and think critically.

As a side note, I noticed the movie has a 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, which doesn’t surprise me given its quality and emotional depth. 

From this movie, two key lessons stood out to me:

1. We have no idea how creative we can be because we didn’t create ourselves—God created us. His creativity flows through us.
2. We need to embrace the spirit of adventure, especially if we want to change the world.