Review: "Living Proof"

This weekend I watched the Lifetime premiere of "Living Proof," the TV docudrama about Dr. Dennis Slamon and the development of the drug Herceptin, which has had great success in extending the lives of women with a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer.

Overall the movie is moving because the anyone affected by breast cancer cannot help but be touched by what Dr. Slamon did for the history of the disease.

From the L.A. Times:

"It is not that science can't be thrilling. Indeed, Connick is best when Slamon is talking about his work, as in the opening scene, explaining to new assistant Amanda Bynes just what he's trying to do. He catches the excitement of a person whose special technical knowledge has found a fresh audience, and he
sells his expository dialogue ("I want to be clear: 200,000 women a year are diagnosed with breast cancer") with a geeky enthusiasm.

"As a device for consciousness-raising and fundraising, 'Living Proof' might still be effective in spite of its faults, might usefully inspire viewers in a way that a documentary might not. There are people who need a face put on these things, even -- or especially -- if it's the face of an actor."