. . .first Do No Harm (1997)

This movie is not about abortion, although that would be an appropriate title for that horrible atrocity. Instead, this made-for-TV movie is about a mother's love for her son. It is a touching story about a family struggling how to deal with the challenge of their only son's accident.

Part of the Hippocratic Oath, which physicians used to take (I am not sure if they still do - especially in light of the move to devalue human life in recent years) is that physicians should do all they can to help heal their patients. It is definitely not inflicting additional pain or making their condition worse. In this movie it appeared that the "Do No Harm" rule was not adhered to at all at least in terms of this case.

". . . first Do No Harm" is a movie based on a true story. Those are my favorite movies. It is the story of a five-year-old boy, who has a head injury while playing at school. At first nothing was made of the incident. However, when he begins to have repeated and increasingly severe seizures his parents become greatly concerned. They take him to a series of physicians and hospitals. He gets progressively worse, instead of better. The movie climaxes when the doctors recommend brain surgery, which the parents refuse to accept. The movie is heart-wrenching as you watch the tragedy tears up the parents, especially the devoted mother.

". . . first Do No Harm" is an indictment against the worst elements of America's second-to-none health care system. The health system did not at all serve the needs of this particular family. Without giving away the story all the angst shown through most of the movie gives way to a joyous ending. This is a must see movie.

RATING

Without question I would rate this movie a ***** out of *****. The movie brings out the best acting talents of Meryl Streep. With Mother's Day just a few days away this movie is a pleasant reminder about all the enduring qualities of motherhood. It is terribly sad at some points and very uplifting at other times. Amazon.com has the movie. If you can't find it in your local video store or library, where I stumbled upon it, buy it. It reminded me of another powerful true story made into a movie, Lorenzo's Oil.