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Lorenzo

Original title: Lorenzo's Oil
  • 1992
  • Tous publics
  • 2h 9m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
25K
YOUR RATING
Susan Sarandon, Nick Nolte, and Zack O'Malley Greenburg in Lorenzo (1992)
DocudramaMedical DramaBiographyDrama

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.

  • Director
    • George Miller
  • Writers
    • George Miller
    • Nick Enright
  • Stars
    • Nick Nolte
    • Susan Sarandon
    • Peter Ustinov
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    25K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • George Miller
    • Writers
      • George Miller
      • Nick Enright
    • Stars
      • Nick Nolte
      • Susan Sarandon
      • Peter Ustinov
    • 90User reviews
    • 37Critic reviews
    • 80Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 8 nominations total

    Photos107

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    Top cast96

    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

    User reviews90

    7.325K
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    Featured reviews

    drvr1005

    How is Lorenzo now?

    This Is an excellent movie,great acting,gripping true life story. It is an excellent depiction of the way families sometimes must struggle to win against all odds,even when the majority are saying give up,true "grit",faith carry on. I only wish I would have seen it sooner.
    BlueGreen

    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.
    RachelLone

    Turning misfortune into miracles; turning tragedy into triumph

    This is the true story of Lorenzo Michael Murphy Odone, who, at the age of seven, suffered from a rare, incurable brain disease called ALD. The doctors said there was nothing they could do and that he would die within 24 months of diagnosis. Lorenzo's parents, Augusto Odone (Nick Nolte) and Michaela Odone (Susan Sarandon) decided to gather all the information they could find on their own. Day by day, night by night, from laymen to dedicated researchers, they discovered an awful lot more about the disorder than doctors and scientists. As Lorenzo's condition deteriorated, they never ceased to soldier on. Eventually, Augusto Odone solved the mystery and invented a prescription- a special form of olive oil which could help boys (the disease is passed on by the mothers to their sons, not their daughters) with ALD. Because of his contribution, Odone received an honorary medical degree. And at the age of fourteen, Lorenzo could make some movements and began trying to communicate with the outside world with a computer...

    I wept several times when watching this film. Notwithstanding all the odds, the Odones struggled and conquered their misfortune, and their achievement was outstanding. This is an intense drama with fine acting and something to think about deeply.
    gldie

    Gripping and moving drama

    "Lorenzo's Oil" is a movie about the triumph of human spirit and dogged determination. This movie is based on the true story of Michaela and Agusto Odone, whose child Lorenzo was diagnosed with adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a degenerative nerve disorder that afflicts only little boys and is always fatal. Michaela and Agusto are determined to find a cure or treatment for this baffling disease while their son slowly and painfully deteriorates. That is the basic premise for the movie, but it is about much more than that.

    Michaela and Agusto love their son with unwavering selflessness, and are willing to do anything in their power to save him. This movie is a gripping, touching drama that pulls you in and engulfs you, as finding a cure engulfs the Odones. By the end of the film you will feel a mix of emotions. This movie will give you a newfound respect for the mental and emotional power humans possess.
    kimnil80

    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

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    Storyline

    Edit

    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

      Augusto Odone: Michaela! They are the same enzyme! There is one enzyme for both chains. It's the same bloody enzyme!

    • 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

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    FAQ19

    • How long is Lorenzo's Oil?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 10, 1993 (France)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Australia
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
      • Swahili
    • Also known as
      • Lorenzo's Oil
    • 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

    Tech specs

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

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