Tanya’s Score: Okay-and-a-half*
Rated: PG-13
Starring: Oprah; Kelly Radner
Plot: Based on the true story of the Lacks family – who discover that their late mother’s cells have been used for medical break throughs since the 1950s – and their attempt to learn more about the woman behind the immortal cells.
Tanya’s Verdict: The story behind this film is an interesting one as I’m sure the book it is based on is as well. But the movie is lacking in something – it feels only half-done. Most of the characters are barely developed.
Though I will give credit where credit is due – Oprah’s portrayal of Deborah – the daughter of Henrietta Lacks – is well done. She is consumed by a passion to get to know the woman who died when she was a toddler – and her mental instability as well as her penchant for paranoia interwoven with her mission toward better understanding the medical gains provided by her mother’s tissues is what made watching this movie worthwhile for me.
*Four score descriptions: Sh**; Okay; Good; Great