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Lorenzo's Oil

  • 19921992
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 2h 9m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
23K
YOUR RATING
Susan Sarandon, Nick Nolte, and Zack O'Malley Greenburg in Lorenzo's Oil (1992)
BiographyDrama
Lorenzo Odone, a Virginia 5-year-old, develops a degenerative nerve disease so rare that nobody is working on a cure, so his parents decide to immerse themselves in research and tackle the p... Read allLorenzo Odone, a Virginia 5-year-old, develops a degenerative nerve disease so rare that nobody is working on a cure, so his parents decide to immerse themselves in research and tackle the problem themselves.Lorenzo Odone, a Virginia 5-year-old, develops a degenerative nerve disease so rare that nobody is working on a cure, so his parents decide to immerse themselves in research and tackle the problem themselves.
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
23K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • George Miller
  • Writers
    • George Miller
    • Nick Enright
  • Stars
    • Nick Nolte
    • Susan Sarandon
    • Peter Ustinov
  • Director
    • George Miller
  • Writers
    • George Miller
    • Nick Enright
  • Stars
    • Nick Nolte
    • Susan Sarandon
    • Peter Ustinov
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 89User reviews
    • 35Critic reviews
    • 80Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 8 nominations total

    Photos104

    Susan Sarandon and Nick Nolte in Lorenzo's Oil (1992)
    Susan Sarandon, Nick Nolte, and Zack O'Malley Greenburg in Lorenzo's Oil (1992)
    Susan Sarandon, Nick Nolte, and Peter Ustinov in Lorenzo's Oil (1992)
    Susan Sarandon in Lorenzo's Oil (1992)
    Susan Sarandon and Nick Nolte in Lorenzo's Oil (1992)
    Susan Sarandon, Nick Nolte, and Zack O'Malley Greenburg in Lorenzo's Oil (1992)
    Susan Sarandon and Nick Nolte in Lorenzo's Oil (1992)
    George Miller in Lorenzo's Oil (1992)
    Zack O'Malley Greenburg in Lorenzo's Oil (1992)
    Susan Sarandon and Zack O'Malley Greenburg in Lorenzo's Oil (1992)
    Nick Nolte and Peter Ustinov in Lorenzo's Oil (1992)
    Susan Sarandon and Nick Nolte in Lorenzo's Oil (1992)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Nick Nolte
    Nick Nolte
    • Augusto Odone
    Susan Sarandon
    Susan Sarandon
    • Michaela Odone
    Peter Ustinov
    Peter Ustinov
    • Professor Nikolais
    Kathleen Wilhoite
    Kathleen Wilhoite
    • Deirdre Murphy
    Gerry Bamman
    Gerry Bamman
    • Doctor Judalon
    Margo Martindale
    Margo Martindale
    • Wendy Gimble
    James Rebhorn
    James Rebhorn
    • Ellard Muscatine
    Ann Hearn
    Ann Hearn
    • Loretta Muscatine
    Maduka Steady
    Maduka Steady
    • Omouri
    Mary Wakio
    • Comorian Teacher
    Don Suddaby
    • Don Suddaby
    Colin Ward
    • Jake Gimble
    LaTanya Richardson Jackson
    LaTanya Richardson Jackson
    • Nurse Ruth
    • (as La Tanya Richardson)
    Jennifer Dundas
    Jennifer Dundas
    • Nurse Nancy Jo
    William Cameron
    William Cameron
    • Pellerman
    Becky Ann Baker
    Becky Ann Baker
    • Pellerman's Secretary
    Mary Pat Gleason
    Mary Pat Gleason
    • The Librarian
    David Shiner
    • Clown
    • Director
      • George Miller
    • Writers
      • George Miller
      • Nick Enright
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Although a medical drama might seem an odd choice for the director of the "Mad Max" movies, George Miller is in fact a qualified doctor.
    • Quotes

      Professor Nikolias: Do you know how many children die every year from choking on french fries? Many more than from Adrenoleukodistrophy. You see, ours is what is known as an orphan disease, too small to be noticed, too small to be funded, especially with the iron hand of "Reganomics".

    • Crazy credits
      During the credits pictures of children are shown, which were cured by "Lorenzo's Oil".
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Forever Young/Damage/Toys/Scent of a Woman/Used People (1992)
    • Soundtracks
      Kijana Mwana Mwali
      Written by Idylio Cortini and Roberto Marini

      Performed by Gonda Traditional Entertainers

    User reviews89

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Heartbreaking tale of the triumph of the human spirit; Sarandon's best work ever
    LORENZO'S OIL (1992) **** Nick Nolte, Susan Sarandon, Peter Ustinov, Zack O' Malley Greenburg, Kathleen Wilhoite. Powerful and educational true life story of Augusto and Michaela Odone who learn their young son is stricken with a devestating and rare disease (adrenoleukodystrophy or ALD) with no cure. The parents take on the awesome task of finding hope when doctors and support groups won't make an effort in learning how to conquer their son's debilitating nerve disorder. Although there are some distrubingly realistic depictions of a child suffering, the film never insults or preaches, but instead, enlightens. Sarandon, in my opinion was cheated out of an Oscar (she lost to Emma Thompson for "Howard's End"), gives the performance of her career and Nolte is wonderful as the frustrated father who risks everything in his research odyssey. Effectively directed by George Miller ("Mad Max") who also has a degree as a doctor (!)
    helpful•25
    1
    • george.schmidt
    • Apr 11, 2003

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 29, 1993 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Australia
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
      • Swahili
    • Also known as
      • Un milagro para Lorenzo
    • Filming locations
      • Carnegie Mellon University - 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA(university scenes)
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Kennedy Miller Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $30,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $7,286,388
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $79,353
      • Jan 3, 1993
    • Gross worldwide
      • $7,286,388
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 9 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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    Susan Sarandon, Nick Nolte, and Zack O'Malley Greenburg in Lorenzo's Oil (1992)
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