Lorenzo's Oil (1992)

A boy develops a disease so rare that nobody is working on a cure, so his father decides to learn all about it and tackle the problem himself.

Director:

George Miller

Writers:

George Miller, Nick Enright

Stars:

Nick Nolte, Susan Sarandon, Peter Ustinov

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nick Nolte	...	Augusto Odone
Susan Sarandon	...	Michaela Odone
Peter Ustinov	...	Professor Nikolais
Kathleen Wilhoite	...	Deirdre Murphy
Gerry Bamman	...	Doctor Judalon
Margo Martindale	...	Wendy Gimble
James Rebhorn	...	Ellard Muscatine
Ann Hearn	...	Loretta Muscatine
Maduka Steady	...	Omouri
Mary Wakio	...	Comorian Teacher
Don Suddaby	...	Himself
Colin Ward	...	Jake Gimble
LaTanya Richardson Jackson	...	Nurse Ruth (as La Tanya Richardson)
Jennifer Dundas	...	Nurse Nancy Jo
William Cameron	...	Pellerman

Storyline

Until about the age of 7, Lorenzo Odone was a normal child. After then, strange things began to happen to him: he would have blackouts, memory lapses, and other strange mental phemonenons. He is eventually diagnosed as suffering from ALD: an extremely rare incurable degenerative brain disorder. Frustrated at the failings of doctors and medicine in this area, the Odones begin to educate themselves in the hope of discovering something which can halt the progress of the disease.

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Plot Keywords:

hope | doctor | reference to jesus christ | disease | ald | 

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Taglines:

Some people make their own miracles.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for a child's life threatening ordeal

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

29 January 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Un milagro para Lorenzo

Filming Locations:

Washington Dulles International Airport - 45020 Aviation Drive, Sterling, Virginia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$7,286,388

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Kennedy Miller Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

129 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the only film directed by George Miller that is not part of a larger franchise.

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Quotes

Augusto Odone: Dr. Nikolias, what about the other boys, what results are you seeing in them?
Professor Nikolias: As with Lorenzo it's too early to tell. We need this study to run for the full six months.
Augusto Odone: And that would tell you what is obvious right now? That avoiding apple skins and pizza has no effect on this brutal disease?

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Crazy Credits

Lorenzo's scream is heard right at the very end of the film.

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Connections

Referenced in American Dad!: Stan's Best Friend (2012)

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Soundtracks

Three Choruses to the Play 'Tsar Feodor Ioannovich'
Written by Georgi Sviridov (as Georgy Sviridov)
Performed by Gloriae Dei Cantores

User Reviews

Really,really great!

Wow!,what a film.Based on a true story about little boy Lorenzo who gets an incurable disease called ALG.Parents never gives up to get a cure for the disease.And a cure there is,in form of an oil.This is an heartwarming,interesting and very important movie.Great performances all around.Especially Nick Nolte who did a great job with his italian accent.Definately one of his best performances. Sarandon and Ustinov are also great.Not to mention the little boy who played Lorenzo,fantastic. However this movie is not so well known.For us who have seen it,we all agree this is one outstanding movie,that sticks to your mind for a long time...

Rating 8/10