6.3/10
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40 user 13 critic

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (2017)

TV-MA | | Biography, Drama, History | TV Movie 22 April 2017
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Poster
Trailer
1:40 | Trailer
An African-American woman becomes an unwitting pioneer for medical breakthroughs when her cells are used to create the first immortal human cell line in the early 1950s.

Director:

George C. Wolfe

Writers:

Rebecca Skloot (based on the book written by), Peter Landesman (screenplay by) | 2 more credits »

Stars:

Renée Elise Goldsberry, Sylvia Grace Crim, Reed Birney | See full cast & crew »
Reviews
Popularity
3,436 ( 690)
Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 2 wins & 20 nominations. See more awards »

Videos

See all 2 videos  »

Photos

See all 14 photos »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Renée Elise Goldsberry ... Henrietta Lacks
Sylvia Grace Crim ... Mary Kubick
Reed Birney ... Dr. George Gey
Karen Wheeling Reynolds ... Mrs. Margaret Gey (as Karen Reynolds)
John C. Vennema ... Board Administrator
Chasiti Ferrell Chasiti Ferrell ... Baby Deborah
Chelsea Ferrell Chelsea Ferrell ... Baby Deborah
Rose Byrne ... Rebecca Skloot
Ruben Santiago-Hudson ... Dr. Roland Pattillo
Oprah Winfrey ... Deborah Lacks
Jaedon Godley Jaedon Godley ... Davon
Rocky Carroll ... Sonny Lacks
John Douglas Thompson ... Lawrence Lacks
Roger Robinson ... Day Lacks
Adriane Lenox ... Barbara Lacks
See full cast »
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Storyline

An African-American woman becomes an unwitting pioneer for medical breakthroughs when her cells are used to create the first immortal human cell line in the early 1950s.

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

research | baltimore maryland | hospital | 1950s | cancer | See All (44) »

Taglines:

Discover What You Are Made Of See more »

Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Mystery

Certificate:

TV-MA

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Alfred Carter Jr. plays Turner Station man #1 who donates blood for Henrietta. Alfred Carter Jr. is the real life son of Deborah Lacks and grandson to Henrietta Lacks. See more »

Connections

Features Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002) See more »

Soundtracks

If You Want Me to Stay
Written by Sly Stone (as Sylvester Stewart)
Performed by Sly and the Family Stone (as Sly & The Family Stone)
Courtesy of Epic Records
By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing
See more »

User Reviews

 
Skip the movie and read the book.
24 April 2017 | by carolerj – See all my reviews

If I hadn't read the well-written book, I would know less about the Lacks family, Henrietta in particular. In this movie, Henrietta the woman doesn't seem to be the central character.The movie introduces the family and concerns itself mostly with their intense anger at Johns Hopkins for being kept completely in the dark about the research. Thank goodness for HeLa cells, even though no permission was granted because, at the time, it wasn't the norm to ask.The movie's resolution was unsatisfactory for me, but Oprah gives an intensely personal performance as Henrietta's daughter Deborah and will probably be nominated for an Emmy. I had never seen Rose Byrne in a movie or TV show, but I thought she did well as Rebecca Skloot.
21 of 23 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
Review this title | See all 40 user reviews »

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 April 2017 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks See more »

Filming Locations:

Baltimore, Maryland, USA See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Films, Your Face Goes Here Entertainment, Harpo Films See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1
See full technical specs »
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