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 | |
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Mary Wakio | ... | Comorian Teacher |
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Don Suddaby | ... | Self |
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Colin Ward | ... | Jake Gimble |
LaTanya Richardson Jackson | ... | Nurse Ruth (as La Tanya Richardson) | |
Jennifer Dundas | ... | Nurse Nancy Jo | |
William Cameron | ... | Pellerman |
Until about the age of seven, 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 (adrenoleukodystrophy): 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. Written by Murray Chapman <muzzle@cs.uq.oz.au>
A family returns to the U.S. from Africa only to discover that their son has acquired a very rare disease called A.L.D. While told to give up and let their son die because there is no cure in sight, the father goes to the library everyday after work to research into a possible cure. The greatest opposition he receives comes from the doctors who tell him to "let the professionals handle it" and from other parents whose children have the same illness who condemn him for "spreading false hopes". While scientists around the world are competing over each other to find a cure, Lorenzo's parents bring them together to consult. My all-time favourite film, this highly emotional true story features peerless acting, especially from Sarandon.