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Running head: GIFTED HANDS MOVIE REVIEW

Movie Review Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story Angel Manuel Perez Liberty University PACO 617-D01 Dr. David Hollis July 29, 2018

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GIFTED HANDS MOVIE REVIEW Movie Review - Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story The Review Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story (2009) is an amazing and powerful biography of

Ben Carson who later became Dr. Ben Carson, a world-renowned brain surgeon at John Hopkins Hospital in Boston, MA. The writer, John Pielmeier, and director, Thomas Carter, executed an excellent job at capturing Ben Carson’s journey as he described it. The main characters in this movie were Ben Carson played by Cuba Gooding Jr., Sonya Carson, Ben’s mother, played by Kimberly Elise, and Candy, Ben’s wife, played by Aunjanue Ellis. Cuba Gooding Jr., Kimberly Elise, and Aunjanue Ellis performed an excellent portrait of the characters they played. Cuba Gooding Jr. won an Oscar for his performance as Ben Carson. This movie is a true story about a famous brain surgeon who overcame staggering opposition to forever change the world of medicine as it was then. As a Black male growing up in the ghettos of Detroit, MI, Ben Carson had little chance of making anything of himself. He grew up in a broken home in the midst of poverty and racism. Ben was often mocked by his peers as a boy and as a young adult. While there were a few teachers throughout his journey that encouraged him, there were those who would make racial comments in an attempt to discourage him. Ben did very poorly in elementary school. However, one would discover that it was not due to a low IQ, but because he was in need of glasses. Ben’s mother noticed that he was having difficulty reading a passage to her as he was squinting and trying to sound out the words. Hence, Ben was prescribed glasses. As a result of using glasses, Ben got a “D” on his next exam in school, but he was ecstatic because it was his first passing grade in that class. From there on, his grades began to get better, and he was given the “Greatest Academic Achiever” award at the end of his school year.

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Ben Carson and his family were Christians. He had lots of faith in what God can do for him. This faith was instilled in him by his mother, Sonya. She was very strict with Ben and his brother when it came to academics, God, relational issues. Sonya only had a third-grade education, but she was an intelligent woman. She knew the value of a good education, and she saw to it that Ben and his brother got that education. Sonya would always be telling Ben that he is smart and that he can be whatever he wanted to be. Sonya would make Ben and his brother read two books a week and have them write a book report on each book they read. She also limited their TV time to two hours per day. She helped to develop Ben’s self-worth, his relational skills, his imagination, and his intellect. There was a scene in the movie where Sonya developed deep depression. She recognized the damage it was doing to her and potentially to her boys, so she decided to see a psychiatrist. She informed the psychiatrist that she was having suicidal thoughts. The psychiatrist was a White male in his 30’s. He showed compassion, empathetic listening, no racism, no prejudices, and he was thorough during the intake process, as he suggested that she be hospitalized. Sonya confided in and trusted the psychiatrist, as she took his advice for the sake of herself and her boys. Taking the initiative to seek professional help was a power move on Sonya’s part. Her core beliefs as a Christian and her love for her boys prompted her to seek professional help. There is no telling whom Ben Carson would have grown up to be if Sonya had not sought professional help. Viewers should give particular attention to the counselor/client relationship formed between Sonya and the psychiatrist, and to Sonya’s self-care, sacrifice, personality traits, and Christian values as they helped in the development of a solid foundation in her children. The story centers around Ben’s journey, but one must not overlook the importance a counselor/counselee

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relationship, and power of a solid foundation and a strong Christ-minded support group, which provided Ben with the tools he needed to succeed. Therapeutic Implications The scene where Sonya is experiencing clinical depression, her initiative to seek professional help, and her session with the psychiatrist warrant reflection. It should be noted that the movie does not offer any information as to the psychiatrist’s religious belief system. The psychiatrist’s body language, questions, and responses to Sonya’s story demonstrated empathetic listening, compassion, interest, and no sign of racism. Sonya was articulate, appropriately dressed, and showed to be of average intelligence. However, she became very emotional during the session as she began to share her history regarding her ex-husband, and that she had suicidal thoughts. This scene offers a cognitive connection relevant to therapy. The scene can help a client learn and understand the importance of establishing a rapport between the counselor and counselee. It can also help the client understand the need to develop effective listening skills. The client can observe the importance of these skills applied to any type of relationship. This scene was chosen because it shows that despite the emotional temperature in the room and the level of spirituality one can develop a good rapport with a stranger or provide answers to difficult questions if one is equipped with effective listening skills. Personal and Professional Implications At a personal level, this movie shows that given the proper tools and support, anyone with a sound mind can achieve anything they desire for the betterment of their life. Regardless of the obstacle(s), all one needs to do is believe (Mk. 11:23). Many try to blame their upbringing, physical or intellectual limitations, and other challenges for their failures. However, this movie and many other true-life stories show that one can realize their endeavors despite the obstacles

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life might bring. I can closely relate to Ben Carson’s story. Except that I am Puerto Rican and I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. The movie did not present a confirmation or challenge of my perceptions of marriage since marriage was not a major theme in the movie. However, the information extracted from the scene discussed above affirms the value of establishing an effective rapport, which leads to productive therapy sessions. I will use this information to keep me mindful of that fact. I feel very strongly and agree with the scene mentioned above because I feel establishing a good rapport is crucial to the therapeutic process....