If you're thinking of submitting your DNA to research your ancestry, this film is for you. In 1951 Henritta Lacks an African-American woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer four and a half months after the birth of her fifth and last child at John Hopkins hosptial in Baltimore, Maryland. Complaining of a "knot" in her stomach/womb, she returns to John Hopkins the only hosptial that would accept African-Americans in search of a diagnosis. Without her consent, cells of a cancerous tumor and healthly cells are taken, which were a common practice at the time. Researcher George Gey discovers Henritta's healthy cells under specific conditions will reproduce indefinitely. These cells become known as the HeLa line and instrumental in cancer research. It is only when a batch becomes contaminated in the 70s and the Lack's family is contacted for additional blood samples that the family begins to question the interest in their family. Henritta's daughter, Renee Elise Goldsberry (Oprah Winfrey) begins the search of who her mother was.The film raises moral and ethical questions within the medical world and continues to do so. No one will see this film and not have an opinion so be sure to save time for the after movie discussion. Not for young viewers due to mature topic.

Yes, I see all the negative reviews, but my experience was different. This movie was wonderful. Admittedly it didn't come close to covering the entire book; what movie does? The slice covered is the experience of Henrietta Lacks' children and grandchildren and their reactions as adults to the attempt to write a book about their mother's situation. Rose Byrne did a great job, as always, as the writer of the book, and Oprah was heartpoundingly good as Lacks' troubled daughter. I love that the daughter wasn't glamorous, nor powerful, but Oprah still breathed life into her and absolutely owned the screen. To me this movie animates many different ways of dealing with loss, grief, and intense resentment at unfair treatment. If you're willing to see it as a story of Lacks' personal, not scientific, legacy, I think you'll find the movie transcendent, as I did.

Oprah sure can bring the crazy ugly is an amazing fierce way. Now, is that good or bad - I'm not quite sure, but definitely entertaining.The story of Henrietta Lacks biological cells being taken for medical purposes without her family's knowledge or permission has lasting repercussions on her family's mental health and relationships.I have not read the book, but after viewing this I plan on it.

The low score on IMDb I suspect the trailers gave the wrong impression, I think people were looking for the wonder Henrietta Lacks cells gave mankind but I took the movie for what it was, a story more focus on the family than on Henrietta Lacks. And I enjoyed it this way, learning of the pain it causes the Lacks family reveals how intelligent society discards the poor and the meek, it's a life lesson of the realities of life. The low score on IMDb might also be some can't handle the truth, I pray one day this family will get the billions they are entitled to.