Lorenzo's Oil (1992)

Peter Ustinov: Professor Nikolais

Photos 

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 "Reaganomics".

• 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?

• Michaela Odone : The life of one boy is not enough reward for you to risk the reputation of the institution and the esteem of your peers.

  Professor Nikolias : That was uncalled for. Your responsibility is merely towards your own child. My responsibility is towards all the boys that suffer from this disease, now and in the future. Of course I anguish for the suffering of your boy. And of course I applaud you for the efforts you make on his behalf. But I will have nothing to do with this oil.

  Michaela Odone : We are not asking, Doctor, for your anguish or your applause. We are asking merely for a little courage.