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IMDbPro

...First Do No Harm

  • TV Movie
  • 1997
  • PG-13
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
2K
YOUR RATING
Meryl Streep and Seth Adkins in ...First Do No Harm (1997)
Drama

The story of one woman's struggle against a narrow-minded medical establishment.The story of one woman's struggle against a narrow-minded medical establishment.The story of one woman's struggle against a narrow-minded medical establishment.

  • Director
    • Jim Abrahams
  • Writer
    • Ann Beckett
  • Stars
    • Meryl Streep
    • Fred Ward
    • Seth Adkins
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jim Abrahams
    • Writer
      • Ann Beckett
    • Stars
      • Meryl Streep
      • Fred Ward
      • Seth Adkins
    • 31User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 2 wins & 6 nominations total

    Photos15

    Meryl Streep and Seth Adkins in ...First Do No Harm (1997)
    Meryl Streep and Seth Adkins in ...First Do No Harm (1997)
    Meryl Streep and Seth Adkins in ...First Do No Harm (1997)
    Meryl Streep and Seth Adkins in ...First Do No Harm (1997)
    Meryl Streep and Seth Adkins in ...First Do No Harm (1997)
    Meryl Streep and Seth Adkins in ...First Do No Harm (1997)
    Meryl Streep and Seth Adkins in ...First Do No Harm (1997)
    Meryl Streep and Seth Adkins in ...First Do No Harm (1997)
    Meryl Streep and Seth Adkins in ...First Do No Harm (1997)
    Meryl Streep and Seth Adkins in ...First Do No Harm (1997)
    Meryl Streep and Seth Adkins in ...First Do No Harm (1997)
    Meryl Streep and Seth Adkins in ...First Do No Harm (1997)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Meryl Streep
    Meryl Streep
    • Lori Reimuller
    Fred Ward
    Fred Ward
    • Dave Reimuller
    Seth Adkins
    Seth Adkins
    • Robbie Reimuller
    Margo Martindale
    Margo Martindale
    • Marjean
    Allison Janney
    Allison Janney
    • Dr. Melanie Abbasac
    Oni Faida Lampley
    • Marsha Williams
    Leo Burmester
    Leo Burmester
    • Bob Purdue
    Tom Butler
    Tom Butler
    • Dr. Jim Peterson
    Mairon Bennett
    • Lynne Reimuller
    Michael Yarmush
    • Mark Reimuller
    Sean McCann
    Sean McCann
    Millicent Kelly
    • Self
    Philip Williams
    Philip Williams
    Philip Akin
    Damir Andrei
    Marcia Bennett
    Marcia Bennett
    • Gail
    Charlie Abrahams
    • Playroom Playmate
    Diana Belshaw
    • Business Rep.
    • Director
      • Jim Abrahams
    • Writer
      • Ann Beckett
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Meryl Streep was so moved by the subject of the project that she gave her time freely and was not compensated financially.
    • Connections
      Featured in The 49th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1997)
    • Soundtracks
      Over the Rainbow
      Music by Harold Arlen

      Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg

      Performed by Aretha Franklin

    User reviews31

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    PG-13 - intense emotional and physical depiction of a child's illness
    In this alternately heartbreaking and uplifting drama inspired by actual events, a small town Midwest family discovers that their youngest son suffers from epilepsy. Left without hope after their insurance runs out, the mother presses on, studies everything she can find out about the illness, and, against the wishes of her local doctor, takes her son to Baltimore for treatment with the controversial ketogenetic diet.

    The title of this movie-made-for-television, First Do No Harm, comes from the Hippocratic oath which doctors take as part of their vocation.

    However, in many cases physicians are loath to recommend procedures not because they do anyone harm but because their efficacy is not supported by scientific research. This is the case when four-year-old Robbie (Seth Adkins) is diagnosed as having a type of epilepsy for which the cause is unknown. His parents, Lori (Meryl Streep) and Dave (Fred Ward), agree to a series of excruciating drug treatments which only seem to worsen his condition. Their situation becomes more complicated when they learn that their health insurance policy has lapsed.

    Then Lori discovers a regimen called the Ketogenic Diet; one-third of the epileptic children on this diet have experienced no additional seizures. Robbie's parents are furious with his doctor (Allison Janney) for not telling them about this treatment and then refusing to facilitate their trying it. Instead, she recommends brain surgery for the boy.

    The finale of the drama demonstrates the distance some families have to go to take control of the health and welfare of their loved ones. First Do No Harm presents a blistering attack on the rigidity and insensitivity of the medical establishment.

    Outstanding performances from both Meryl Streep and child sensation, Seth Adkins. Definitely a 'must-watch!!'
    helpful•25
    2
    • ryanlupin
    • Dec 20, 2004

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 16, 1997 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Rädda min son
    • Filming locations
      • Orono, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Pebblehut Productions
      • Jaffe/Braunstein Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 34 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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