Service to Man is a drama film that portrays the struggles of two medical students who face racism and discrimination while trying to become doctors during the civil rights movement. The movie is set in the 1960s in Tennessee, where the Jim Crow laws were still in place, and racial tension was high. The storyline follows the journey of two medical students, Eli Rosenberg (Morgan Auld) and Michael Dubois (Christopher Livingston), who come from different backgrounds and find themselves at odds with each other.
Eli is a Jewish student from Philadelphia, who is ambitious and determined to become a successful doctor. He is confident in his abilities, and he believes that hard work and dedication will pay off. On the other hand, Michael is a black student from the South, who struggles to fit in with the predominantly white medical school. He faces racism and discrimination from his white classmates and struggles to find his place in a society that sees him as inferior.
Despite their differences, Eli and Michael become roommates, and their relationship becomes more complicated as they navigate the challenges of medical school. Together, they face discrimination from their white professors and classmates, who question their abilities and judge them based on their race.
As they progress through medical school, Eli and Michael encounter different challenges that test their resolve and force them to confront their own biases and prejudices. Eli is faced with a difficult decision when he learns that his father is suffering from Alzheimer's disease and needs medical attention. Meanwhile, Michael is grappling with his place in the civil rights movement and is determined to use his platform to promote social justice.
The movie's themes of racism, discrimination, and social justice are sensitively handled, and the performances by Morgan Auld and Christopher Livingston are outstanding. There are also strong supporting performances by Lamman Rucker, who plays Michael's mentor, and J. Teddy Garces, who plays Eli's professor.
What sets Service to Man apart from other period dramas is its focus on the story's historical context. The movie provides a poignant look at the civil rights movement during the 1960s, and it depicts the systemic issues that plagued the medical profession during that era. The movie's attention to detail in terms of setting and props is impressive and adds to the overall authenticity of the film.
In conclusion, Service to Man is an excellent drama that explores the themes of racism, discrimination, and social justice in a way that feels relevant and timely. It's a thoughtful and nuanced portrayal of the challenges faced by two medical students who are trying to make a difference in a society that is inherently biased against them. It's a powerful film that will leave viewers reflecting on the lessons of the past and how they apply to our present-day struggles.
Service to Man is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.
