Open Wound

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In 1822, a shotgun misfires in a Northern Michigan store, leaving Alexis St. Martin's life hanging by a thread. The leaders of Mackinac Island, upon examining his shot-riddled torso, refuse to spend a dime on the indentured fur trapper. They even dismiss U.S. Army Assistant Surgeon William Beaumont, the only doctor at the frontier fort. Ignoring orders, Beaumont saves St. Martin, setting the stage for a complex, lifelong relationship. Unbeknownst to them, Beaumont's motives for his care will lead him to trial. This narrative artfully fictionalizes their intertwined lives, highlighting the profound impact of St. Martin's injury, which never fully heals, leaving a hole in his stomach. Beaumont seizes this opportunity to explore the mysteries of digestion, driven by a desire to rise above his humble beginnings and compensate for his lack of elite medical training. He experiments on St. Martin, hoping to write a book that will secure his legitimacy and prosperity. As portrayed, Beaumont embodies the dual nature of American ambition, showcasing both the drive for success and the ethical dilemmas that accompany it.