Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story. This movie needs no more review than this: See it.
But of course I can't leave it at that. There are so many films, shows, books, and even Great Courses lectures I'd love for my grandchildren, especially the older ones, to experience, but there's always something that turns a great story into something NSFG. We used to be able to portray the rawer side of life in a way that left something to the imagination, but that sensitivity is now out of style. Gifted Hands, despite being non-rated, is a happy exception. There are some difficult situations and heartbreak, but nothing to detract from the story.
Ben Carson from inner-city Detroit, raised by a single mom (but what a mother!), failing in school, headed for trouble. Dr. Ben Carson, world-famous director of neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins. Gifted Hands tells the tale—fictionalized and condensed, but remarkably accurate for all that—of the transformation. The movie is enjoyable on many levels, from watching Ben's mother inspire her children to learn, to getting a glimpse of the Biltmore House library (professor's house in the movie), to realizing that it's possible to be both a top-notch neurosurgeon and a humble and good-natured person.
Great story. No caveats. Much inspiration. Enjoy!
I would be remiss not to mention that Dr. Carson has written a book of the same name, and I'm looking forward to reading it.
We really enjoyed this movie as well.
I've read some things that seem to indicate he may run for president.
A neurosurgeon in the White House? Let him pick someone from NASA as VP and we'll have both brain surgery and rocket science covered.
He might get my vote solely on the basis that he apparently went from being a boy with a hot, hair-trigger temper to being known as "Gentle Ben" at the hospital. "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city."
For once I read the book first, (and fell in love with the story), then watched the movie. Was deeply inspired by both. On my eventual "must-read" for my kids some day.
I'm glad to hear that you found the movie good even after reading the book, Sarah. (So often I find that's not the case.) I'm looking forward all the more to reading it. Thanks for commenting.
Here is a unit study for Ben Carson that Heather at Blog, She Wrote pulled together:
http://blogshewrote.org/2014/03/07/unit-study-the-life-of-ben-carson/
I've now read the book. The movie is surprisingly true to the book, but it's definitely worthwhile reading the book as well.
I just saw my first "Carson 16" bumper sticker.
