Jim Allison: Breakthrough

PG-13

Released Sep 27, 2019

1h 31m

Documentary

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92%

12 Reviews

Tomatometer

100%

Fewer than 50 Verified Ratings

Audience Score

A renegade, blues-playing, Nobel prize-winning Texas scientist creates a cure for the world's deadliest disease.

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Christine A

This documentary viewed more like a drama movie, incredible story, actual photos and video from Allison's life story, not to mention the ENORMOUS impact his discovery had on the WORLD of Cancer Treatment...FOREVER. I hope anyone and everyone watches this movie. It will open your eyes to the YEARS of research and work needed to find cures and treatments. The surprise celebrity appearance that was actually a happenstance aka coincident event in Allison's personal story was a DELIGHT. Dr. Allison is down to earth, compassionate, and beyond the norm in his ability to think outside the box. His pit bull determined nature to not let go of what he believed in his gut and brilliant mind took him where God intended him to be, in discovering such a miraculous contribution to science and cancer. Just watch it and you'll be as blown away as I was....and as if you're a melanoma cancer survivor, as thankful as I am. This deserves 10 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I saw this film by accident on PBS last night in the "Independent Lens" series. This is a first-rate documentary about a scientist, a Nobel Prize-winning one at that. The film celebrates Jim Allison's unconventional ideas, and it reminds us that science is just as creative (and in Jim's case, perhaps more so) than the arts. Some years ago, I wrote a thank-you letter to a teacher who had inspired me in high school. In his response, he wrote that although he sensed the brilliance of the students before him at the time, one of the curses of teaching is that you don't get to see how the students "turn out." One of the gifts in this film is that we, and Jim Allison, do get to see how things turned out. is about 3 years older than I, and the film. I am guessing that Jim Allison is the only Nobel laureate to jam with Willie Nelson. This is an inspiring film in every way and well worth your investment of 90 minutes.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Outstanding movie!! I love people who are so passionate about what they do.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

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Audience Member

This movie made the scientific aspects very approachable for everyone! The whole backstory of Jim Allison was amazing and so inspiring for the future of cancer patients!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Inspiring, smart, colorful and human. Jim Allison's tenacious story shines!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

An inspiring look at a scientist with rare determination. A movie that is necessary for our time in many ways. Absolute must see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

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Bill Haney

Director

Woody Harrelson

Narrator

Jim Allison

Self

Bill Haney

Writer

Bill Haney

Producer

Jennifer Pearce

Producer

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Jim Allison: Breakthrough: Trailer 1

2:06

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Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

In any other context, [a "quack"] is what he would be, except that he was right!

Oct 4, 2019

Full Review

Ann Hornaday

Washington Post

"Jim Allison: Breakthrough" offers an inspiring and heartening retort. Check it out. Take the kids. Go twice. Just see the dang thing. You won't regret it, and you'll never forget it.

Rated: 4/4

Oct 2, 2019

Full Review

Joe Leydon

Variety

Filmmaker Bill Haney takes an effectively straightforward approach to fashioning a respectful portrait of maverick cancer researcher James P. Allison.

Sep 27, 2019

Full Review

Elias Savada

Film International

Jim Allison: Breakthrough is a most enjoyable, and remarkable, ramble.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 28, 2019

Full Review

Al Alexander

The Patriot Ledger

The Nobel speaks for Allison's extraordinary success. The movie speaks for the extraordinary man behind it.

Rated: A-

Oct 20, 2019

Full Review

Martha K. Baker

KDHX (St. Louis)

What a pleasure it is to meet Jim Allison in Bill Haney's excellent documentary.

Oct 10, 2019

Full Review

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Synopsis

A renegade, blues-playing, Nobel prize-winning Texas scientist creates a cure for the world's deadliest disease.

Director: Bill Haney
Producer: Tim Disney
Screenwriter: Bill Haney
Distributor: Dada Films
Production Co: Uncommon Productions LLC
Rating: PG-13 (Brief Strong Language|Thematic Material)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 27, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 22, 2019
Runtime: 1h 31m

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