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Harry Connick, Jr. in "Living Proof"
courtesy of Lifetime Television
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“Living Proof” (Lifetime)
It is easy to take jabs at Lifetime Television for showing maudlin movies about the disease of the week, but the original Lifetime movie “Living Proof” is not one of these. This is a serious film about the doctor who dedicated himself to finding a new cure for breast cancer. He invented a medicine which he called “Her-2” and fought the corporate suits to get it approved.
Harry Connick, Jr plays Dennis Slamon, a doctor at the UCLA research center who discovers a drug, Her-2, which he thinks will combat breast cancer. He is supported in his fight by Lilly Tartikoff (Angie Harmon), the wife of Brandon Tartikoff who at that time was head of NBC. Slamon had successfully treated Brandon Tartikoff for a severe illness.
Slamon is always in a fight with those at the corporate headquarters of the drug company sponsoring his research. He finally convinces them to allow him to start testing the drug. He brings in a variety of women to take the drug and the movie follows some of these women’s stories.
The movie is never overly dramatic nor does it take the cheap shot of playing on the audiences’ emotions. If it does anything it underplays the tensions and traumas these people go through as they fight and wait.
The acting impact of Bernadette Peters, Trudie Styler, Regina King, Jennifer Coolidge and Tammy Blanchard as the women in the testing is heart-wrenching. Each actress gives a personal touch to her character and makes the viewing audience care about each and every one. Regina King has a particularly tough scene when her character is begging for a chance to be in the “testing group.” She shows what a strong actress she is.
Connick is low key as Slamon, but Paula Cale makes him more human with her portrayal of Slamon’s wife Donna. Harmon has little acting to do in the movie but she is drop dead gorgeous. Swoosie Kurtz is typically outstanding as the mother of one of the patients.
The film is a story of hope and where this disease is concerned that is good news that should be shared. All involved with the presentation of this story are to be commended. It is a movie that needed to be made and a story that deserved to be told.
Just about all of us have had someone in our family touched by breast cancer. This movie is for them and the battle they have waged.
“Living Proof” airs on the Lifetime Channel, October 18 at 9PM. |
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©2008 Jackie K. Cooper |
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