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Lorenzo's Oil

  • 19921992
  • K-10K-10
  • 2h 9m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
22K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Susan Sarandon, Nick Nolte, and Zack O'Malley Greenburg in Lorenzo's Oil (1992)
  • Biography
  • Drama
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
22K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • George Miller
  • Writers
    • George Miller
    • Nick Enright
  • Stars
    • Nick Nolte
    • Susan Sarandon
    • Peter Ustinov
Top credits
  • Director
    • George Miller
  • Writers
    • George Miller
    • Nick Enright
  • Stars
    • Nick Nolte
    • Susan Sarandon
    • Peter Ustinov
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 86User reviews
    • 32Critic reviews
    • 80Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 8 nominations total

    Photos103

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

    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —Murray Chapman <muzzle@cs.uq.oz.au>
    • doctor
    • what happened to epilogue
    • ends with real life footage
    • seeking a cure
    • eyesight
    • 270 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Some people make their own miracles.
    • Genres
      • Biography
      • Drama
    • Certificate
      • K-10
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Don Suddaby (himself) is the actual British biochemist that has synthesized the pure oil (erucic acid) that was used to treat Lorenzo. He was born in Kingston upon Hull, England, where he has a street named after him, "Suddaby Close", which runs adjacent to "Lorenzo Way".
    • 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 & the Movies: 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 reviews86

    Review
    Top review
    Is it a great film...?
    I saw this film several years ago. And yet it remains with me. I am not sure that it is "great film-making"; I do know, however, that it conveyed the story so effectively that even after 5 or 6 years (if not longer) I often remember it and draw inspiration from its story.

    Susan Sarandon was superb. (But then, she usually is.) Nick Nolte's "Italian" accent was nothing short of horrendous. (It probably cost him a nomination.) But he managed to convey the incredible passion of a father - and THAT is what's important. That is what stays with me and inspires me.

    Not sure how to rate it in terms of cinematographic art - but it gets a 10 as a source of inspiration.
    helpful•8
    1
    • BlueGreen
    • Mar 22, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 26, 1993 (Finland)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
      • Swahili
    • Also known as
      • Lorenzon öljy
    • Filming locations
      • Carnegie Mellon University - 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
    • 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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