Lorenzo's Oil (1992) User Reviews

great sick-kid-drama

[SnoopyStyle · 8/10 · 7 November 2014]

Lorenzo Odone is a regular kid who spent three years in east Africa. Back in the States, he starts having disturbances. It's a mystery that his parents (Nick Nolte, Susan Sarandon) have difficulty solving until he is diagnosed as suffering from ALD. It's a rare incurable degenerative brain disorder that wasn't even identified 10 years before. There are no treatments and he's not expected to survive past 2 years. Then his parents goes all out to research his disease.

This is a perfectly constructed sick-kid-drama. It excels because of the great performances. There is some science but the exposition is simple. And it's impossible not to like the old English scientist with 6 months before retirement. It is heart warming and a tear jerking. It is a great triumph of doggedness and parental love movie.

Difficult to watch at times

[jjnxn-1 · 7/10 · 13 May 2013]

Emotionally harrowing film of a dedicated and persistent couples struggle to find help for their son when he falls victim to a terminal illness. Their single minded quest to find if not a solution at least something to relieve their child's suffering is inspiring.

Intensely real performance by Susan Sarandon and a strong one from Nick Nolte although his accent while accurate for the character makes it difficult to understand him occasionally. Beautifully true supporting performances from Peter Ustinov. Margo Martindale and others but it is hard to watch what Lorenzo has to go through.

A shattering experience at times but worthwhile.

Parenthood at its toughest!

[zfiany · 8/10 · 30 March 2009]

Many people say that they plan not to bring children to this world and few who can actually stick to their original plan.

Nick Nolte and Suzan Sarandon never thought that way and they even went farther. When their only son is seriously ill and all hopes went down to zero, they refused to give up their hope and challenged every single thing that human reasoning would usually chose not to.

Sarandon, what to say?! We've seen her in step mom, Thelma and Luise, Dead Man Walking and many more. I have said my opinion of Sarandon before and I like the lady. She is a great actress but Nolte oh my God Nick Nolte what a performance! Nolte, for me, hasn't been treated the way he deserve to be. When you see Nolte in this movie specially the scene he falls intentionally on the stairs on his back sliding down to reflect his pains, you will know exactly what I am talking about.

Painful, Yet Moving True Story....

[alexandraslate · 1 November 2002]

Definetly one of the most inspiring movies ever made.

As individuals, it would be quite easy to feel helpless while up against a disease such as ALD and a medical establishment that has agendas other than the life of a small child. But Augusto and Michaela Odone refused to just stand idly by and while there son's life slipped away from them. Instead, they made the unprecedented decision to learn as much as they could about their son's devastating illness and then set about to find a cure. Because of their efforts, thousands of boys will now be able to enjoy a life their child will not. Had they not been the exceptionally educated and intelligent people that they were I don't know if they would have been able to accomplish such an unbelievable feat. Who knows? What's important to remember, and what I think is the moral of the story is that great things can be accomplished when people become determined to make a difference.

Though Lorenzo regained his sight, some motor skills, and the ability to swallow, his condition hasn't improved to a large degree over the years, and will not until science is able to regenerate the myelin sheath covering his brain that was all but destroyed by the ALD. At the end of the movie, Augusto was involved with a group of scientists who were about to begin trials that would put the myelin back into some puppies who were born with this defect. I, along with others pray for those suffering from this disorder, as well as for people with other diseases such as Multiple Schlerosis that this therapy could help, that they will be successful.

Sadly, Michaela passed away not too long ago. Being from Virginia the Odone's are considered heros in this state, so her death made the papers here. I cried when I thought of how difficult it must have been for her to have to leave the child she'd spent so many years giving hours upon hours of endless care and attention. I'm sure it never crossed her mind that he would outlive her.

If you've never seen this movie, be sure not to miss it. It's a stellar 10!! But be sure to bring a whole box of tissues, you're going to need it!

As an acting exercise, not bad--as an entertainment, a hard sell...

[moonspinner55 · 6/10 · 1 January 2006]

Based on the true story of a married couple at their wits' end trying to find a cure for their young son's degenerative disease, "Lorenzo's Oil" chronicles the efforts and challenges of two people who eventually strike out on their own when the established medical profession proves to be a group of naysayers. George Miller directed, co-wrote and co-produced this heavy-going drama which strives to steer clear of wet-eyed sentiment but can't avoid a sort of hard-shelled sentimentality. The quick cuts at the beginning help to speed up the narrative, but they are off-putting and fail to involve the viewer in the proceedings (perhaps a more careful introduction to this story would've been more beneficial). Worse still is Nick Nolte's irritating, overstated performance as the child's Italian (!) father. Susan Sarandon does her usual sterling job as the mother--the film ends up being a valentine to her valiance and gritty grace--yet the plot-turns are somewhat mechanical despite George Miller's obvious heart and good intentions. **1/2 from ****

A story about hope.

[schauw · 9/10 · 2 February 2004]

Lorenzo's oil

A true story about a battle for the life of Lorenzo who suffers from ALD. A rare disease which destroys all basic functions like speech and movement and in the end takes the life of the person. In this movie the parents fight the clock by doing their own research and investigation.

This is a true masterpiece, about hope. Acting and directing are fabulous. You can feel the cast being involved. I have seen a a lot of movies of Nick Nolte , but this must be one of his better ones. Here he proves he can do more than "another 48 hours". Nick is convincing in every way in this movie, even though he has a very hard part playing an Italian(Augusto Odone).

Susan Sarandon plays the mother of Lorenzo. It's incredible how she plays the part of a mother near the end of her powers pushing away everybody that does not share the same faith in saving the life of her son.

This movie is underrated, and should be given a chance. I seen a lot of movies and normally i do not watch this kind of movies, they cannot hold m y attention for long. But this one is different and really heartbreaking.

I had never heard about ALD. So today i did some investigation, and found out that Lorenzo still lives and you can write him if you want

Amazing grace

[JuguAbraham · 7/10 · 13 February 2001]

I saw this film because the Australian director, George Miller, impressed me somewhat with his Mad Max movies. I was amazed that the same director could deliver a totally different product in so graceful a style that barely showed its head in Mad Max.

Miller has done wonders with Susan Sarandon, Nick Nolte and Peter Ustinov (whom I got to meet briefly after Mrs Gandhi's assassination); each of them giving stunning performances. Nolte is incredible with his unusual accent acquired for this film which only gives away once or twice. Ustinov, the master comedian, has never given a more serious and convincing performance to my knowledge than this one.

The story-line is not unusual, yet the screenplay is so well crafted that one is riveted to the screen as in a Hitchcock film. The photography and the editing have also contributed to the quiet gracefulness of the finished product. The subplot of the Comoros Islands that provided the childhood of Lorenzo is weak, except that it provides the reason for return of the African friend to nurse Lorenzo in Washington D.C.

An aspect of the film the director and co-scriptwriter could have enhanced was the different reactions and attitudes of the nurses that leave Lorenzo's house...The story is touching; but the film-making is commendable that it did not descend to the level of histrionics. (It does once with Nolte writhing on the stairs, but thankfully the camera of John Seale takes it in a long shot). Some close-ups of Sarandon and Nolte remind you of Ingmar Bergman's films of the Seventies and Eighties.

The subject pulls your heartstrings; but the film-making is amazing in converting a true document into an artistic product. The film's art ascends over the moving subject of ALD.

Miller amazes me, as did other talented Australian directors who came to Hollywood: Peter Weir and Bruce Beresford. It is strange that these Australians made brilliant small budget films in Australia, made even more promising big budget films in Hollywood and then quietly burned out. I hope Miller, Weir and Beresford prove me wrong and make better films than they have.

This highly emotional story features peerless acting

[Pelrad · 10/10 · 24 January 1999]

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.

NEVER give up

[natashabowiepinky · 7/10 · 19 September 2014]

Talk about being caught in an emotional wringer. This film very accurately describes the ups and downs of looking after someone you love who you know may not be long for this world. Despite all the doctors and experts telling you you should make your peace and get ready to say goodbye, you just can't. You're not ready. So you scour every avenue you can to find a miracle cure, spend every spare penny you have, put your life on hold during this fruitless search... But, nothing. And every time it LOOKS like they're making progress and, for a few blessed hours you feel a sense of rapture, the next day you're back to the drawing board. One step forward, two steps back. For the Odone's it was their son Lorenzo, for me it was a pet.

Fortunately in their case, after painstaking research going on for months, and a belligerent attitude that flew in the face of medical science at the time, they were able to find an answer that kept him alive for decades longer than doctors predicted he would. Lorenzo died just one day after his 30th birthday in 2008... outliving his mother in the process. If this isn't a testimony to parental love, I don't know what is. AND they helped many other families who were struggling the same way. I think it's safe to say, without their contribution, the world would be a much more depressive place than it is.

Nick Nolte and Susan Sarandon are 100% perfect as the committed father and mother who don't take 'NO' for an answer... Nolte in particular has one scene, where after reading about the devastating symptoms of deterioration his son will experience during his illness, he has a public breakdown on the steps of the library... Which is almost Oscar worthy by itself. That Italian accent he puts on could do with some work, though. There are dull patches... but these tend to work in favour of the film, as they bring home even more what it must be like, sitting next to a family member, attached to a life-support machine, waiting for the slightest sign of optimism...

But, NEVER give up. 7/10

Susan shines and who would expect any less??

[funkie_sparkels · 10/10 · 25 June 2002]

Susan Sarandon is one of the greatest actresses ever, in my opinion. Some may not agree, but I would surely have a strong argument, with her performance in Lorenzo's Oil as my just part of my evidence. I have come to expect a lot of Susan, after her performances in Rocky Horror, Bull Durham and Thelma & Louise and she didn't disappoint me here. As Michaela Odone, the mother of Lorenzo, who has a terminal disease ALD, she perfectly skates that fine line between being a caring parent and a crazed mother obsessed with keeping her son alive, and if the nurses don't like it, too bad. Even Michaela's own sister is told to leave, because she thinks Michaela is losing it. Susan exquisitely shows the pain and sacrifice of a mother watching her son deteriorate while she is basically powerless to stop it. "How can I enjoy anything when he enjoys nothing?" This question truly reveals Michaela's agony. I think she was criminally robbed of an oscar. I would watch this movie for her performance alone. However, this is not all the movie has to offer. Nick Nolte also delivers as the father, Augusto, showing a slightly different angle with his side of the story. Together, they create what I consider to be a masterpiece. 10/10

Emotionally manipulative in a cold and clinical way, but still a personal and uplifting story

[brchthethird · 6/10 · 28 April 2015]

LORENZO'S OIL is an interesting film for a few reasons. First, it's based on a true story and second, the director George Miller (MAD MAX) used to be a medical doctor, so this project was probably personal for him in a way that his others weren't. Before someone gets the wrong idea, I do think this is a good film. All of the performances were realistically done, the technical details are all artfully done, and the story itself is highly inspirational. That being said, the film is a bit hard to sit through since you are relentlessly bombarded with scene after scene of a child struggling for his life against a disease that (at the time) wasn't fully understood. There was also a steep learning curve when it came to all of the medical terminology that gets tossed around, although there was some attempt to explain the more fundamental concepts related to the disease at the center of the story. And what a disease! Lorenzo Odone was diagnosed with adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a disease that affects how certain fatty acids are processed and leads to serious neurological problems. Keeping in mind that George Miller is a former doctor, the narrative unfolds and is presented in a very clinical fashion, with an acute focus on time. To its detriment, occasionally this bleeds over into the emotional impact of what is happening on screen. While it might be hard not to be moved by much of what is shown and discussed, there was a preparedness and calculation which undermined the more emotional moments (for me, at least). And about a third of the way into the film, after seeing scene after scene of suffering and hearing several cues of Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings, I just became numb. All of that aside, I thought the film brought up some very important points of discussion, such as how slow the medical establishment moves and the role of compassion in medical care. There are several scenes in which parents of ALD children are pitted against the foundation and doctors simply because they feel things aren't moving fast enough. Still, as the film makes quite clear, there are proper procedures and protocols to be followed. despite the maverick efforts of the Odones to find a cure/treatment for their son's illness at all costs. Hopefully, the less scientifically inclined won't take this film as evidence that parents can just do what they want willy-nilly without regard for established science. To their credit, the Odones did their own research and worked with scientists to develop the titular oil that helped to save their boy's life. Thematically, I think the film's main message can be summed up in the opening quote which, summarized, basically says that living is struggle while the end result is up to a higher power. Maybe the film hammers this a little too hard, what with endless soundtrack cues of choral and symphonic music, but the idea that science and faith don't necessarily have to be diametrically opposed is a compelling one. There are certainly other issues/topics which are touched upon, but I feel like I've covered the most significant ones. While it isn't a perfect movie, and is shameless in its emotional manipulation, in the end it is an uplifting story that I can easily recommend. Just be aware that the journey though it isn't easy.

Don't Miss it!

[Emerenciano · 8/10 · 3 November 2002]

No doubt Nick Nolte and Susan Sarandon are two great actors who have been part of wonderful movies. In "Lorenzo's Oil" they're even better than usual. The story is about a boy who has a rare disease that affects him little by little. His parents, played by Nolte and Sarandon, make their best to help the boy. Great direction by George Miller.

My Rate 8/10

Miracles happen sometimes.

[Phil_H · 6/10 · 9 April 2000]

Susan Sarandon's finest performance, clearly defining the role of the protector-mother, insulating her ALD afflicted son from the drain of the world and at the same time searching (with good hope) to find that which the "experts" cannot: a cure or acceptable treatment.

She did just that. Her son (and many other son's) lives because of her tireless passion and never-say-die attitude, even when those closest to her had surrendered to what was considered the inevitable, she persisted--and her son remains because of her strength.

This film shows us that the doctors don't always have the answers, and sometimes they don't have the guts to continue into new territory becuase they're blinded by rules, regulations, and their own career-oriented mindset.

The more amazing possibility, other than the miracle of a possible cure/treatment for ALD, is that this same technique could one day lead to treatment for a whole host of other disorders, like MS.

With this movie, as with life itself, sometimes miracles happen, sometimes the "good guy" wins for real.

This story's legacy is that we all may have won. This movie is a joy to behold. Well worth viewing and owning.

Many years have passed, and there is still no cure for ALD

[rpavly · 1/10 · 13 May 2007]

Many years have passed, and there is still no cure for ALD. That is the final judgment for this movie… all hype.

Hollywood gives a free pass to this type of crap that raises parents hopes but is false science. It's very easy for Hollywood to lambaste the medical community for ignoring an " orphan disease". In fact, there has been an enormous amount of work on ALD, but no definitive solutions. In fact, recently the family has withdrawn from their own charitable research organization.

It is a bad movie, but worse it exemplifies the popular bias against real science in favor of pseudo-science.

Turning misfortune into miracles; turning tragedy into triumph

[RachelLone · 1 March 2004]

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.

Thoroughly entertaining, but very depressing,

[TOMNEL · 6/10 · 3 May 2007]

Stars: Nick Nolte and Susan Sarandan.

This film, based on a true story, is about two parents going through the hardships of having a son dying of the disease ALD, and how they try to learn to help him. Let me first say this film is very depressing. It really tries to show what a terrible disease ALD is, and portrays many seizures and horrible happenings. Where this was a depressing film, it was also entertaining for me. I was very in to the story. However, it has some flaws. It is too fast paced for it's own good. There must be 100 different scenes in the film. While the fast pace helped to push the story along, it also caused "Lorenzo's Oil" to have no character development prior to the diagnosis. As for the acting, it was very good I thought, except Nick Nolte. Where he did do a good Italian accent, it seemed a though he would push it really strong one moment, and the next he'd have a light accent. And one pretty minor other annoyance was Lorenzo's voice. Lorenzo's screams were provided by voice over actress E.G. Daily, and you could tell a grown woman was doing this voice. It kind of sidetracked me from the story. But other than that, this was a good drama, portraying horrors beyond our control.

My rating: ** 1/2 out of ****. 124 mins. PG for brief language

Doctor's do NOT know everything

[gfarral · 9/10 · 12 July 2006]

I have seen it many times. People with an affliction or near some one with an affliction know more about the disease and treatment than the doctor. It is a single topic and they are able to tackle the data on that one topic. A doctor know a little bit about a lot of medical topics. The doctor does their best to give you the best treatment possible. A good doctor will listen to you and answer your questions or direct you to where YOU can find the answer. This is the best approach to medical treatment. This family did their best under the circumstances and in the end taught the medical profession a few things which enhanced the medical communities knowledge. Great family film.

Don't Watch This WITH YOUR KIDS

[angeledwardjake · 6/10 · 18 March 2009]

In my ninth grade biology science class we are watching this movie, because it has to do with genetics and traits. we have not finished it yet, so i cannot spoil it, but please please please think before you have children watch this movie.

It may be a great movie for the entertainment value, but it is so heart wrenching that a great deal of 15 year olds in my class are depressed by this movie, and we are in highschool. It is so sad and scary, i don't believe it is appropriate for children to watch. It's pretty embarrassing to cry in class, so you know we wouldn't unless we really couldn't stop ourselves. Most of my class cried during some part of the movie. Like i said, we are only 3/4 of the way through the movie, so we don't have all the information. Maybe the end is uplifting, but you should know until then, it can get pretty bad.

The miracle workers

[dbdumonteil · 8/10 · 23 February 2009]

It's impossible to remain indifferent to this family's sufferings .Susan Sarandon and Nick Nolte -in spite of his fake Italian accent- give superlative performances.That moment when Nolte is crying in his stairs is one of the most harrowing desperate scene I have ever seen.

What's really extraordinary is that we do not always side with the parents.Sometimes ,we think they are monsters to carry on a pointless fight.Sometimes we think that maybe the nurse who reads the fairy tale as if she were reading grocery's lists might be right.

Two people who did not know anything about biology (aside from what we learn in high school)and who become capable of arguing against leading medical experts after studying books night after night deserve our undivided attention.

"Laurenzo" is not an easy movie to watch;it's not what you would call "entertaining".For this family,the famous sentence " life is a daily struggle" takes on a terrible meaning.

Recommended.

Enjoyed it as a medical student

[m-76128-42889 · 7/10 · 8 September 2022]

I was rotating through genetics and a patients newborn screen revealed ALD. The attending recommended I watch the movie. I'm glad I did.

It's a rare disease, so it helped me remember the symptoms and pathophysiology. Unfortunately, Mr. Odones understanding of the disease turned out to be inaccurate and the oil doesn't seem to help in all cases, but he did good for the time. It's a great story that teaches empathy and how doctors don't know everything.

Update on the movie: The Odones have passed away, Lorenzo at age 30. The international myelin project is ongoing and continues to make progress, the odones friend Patricia is the current president of the organization. It has branches in 3 countries.

I wanted to cry...

[makoto4e · 10/10 · 12 May 2002]

I saw this in Biology class and I wanted to cry so badly. It hurt me to see Lorenzo suffer and now I understand why it's so important to understand hereditary diseases because you never know if it could be your child. Just to see the spirit of of Augusto and Michaela, never throwing in the towel on their son, now that's unconditional love. They just didn't sit there a wait for a miracle, like the other people were doing. They did all they could and Lorenzo is still here.

An amazing true story...

[Thanos_Alfie · 7/10 · 24 January 2022]

"Lorenzo's Oil" is a Biography - Drama movie in which we follow the real story of Lorenzo Odone, a 5-year-old boy who is diagnosed with a rare degenerative nerve disease. His parents try very hard to find help through information, research and doctors.

I found this movie very interesting because it is based on a true life story and it was very interesting. The plot and the information about this degenerative nerve disease and how it influences the person was very interesting and very informative about it. The interpretations of both Nick Nolte who played as Augusto Odone and Susan Sarandon who played as Michaela Odone were simply amazing and their work was simply excellent. The direction which was made by George Miller was very good and he presented very well the story of Lorenzo Odone, his illness and his family. To sum up, I have to say that "Lorenzo's Oil" is a nice biography movie and I highly recommend everyone to watch it.

Susan Sarandon does not disappoint

[Travis_Bickle01 · 8/10 · 9 July 2005]

Excellent drama based on the true story of Lorenzo, a kid with a rare but fatal disease. Nice acting performances by Susan Sarandon and Zack O'Malley Greenburg. Nick Nolte wasn't bad either, but I have to admit that, as a Nolte fan, a thought his performance was some what disappointing. His Italian accent made him look like an idiot. Maybe Nolte wasn't optimal casted here. Maybe it would have been better if they had chosen an actor with an Italian look which would had made the accent much more believable.

But in general "Lorenzo's Oil" was a nice picture with good performances. Maybe it's a little underrated as well on IMDb. I think it should at least deserve 7.2. I personally gave it an 8. Certainly worth watching!

8/10

Movie Critique - Paul, Liss, Habib

[jliss11 · 7/10 · 7 July 2009]

Movie Critique by: Gaurav Paul Jonathan Liss Musaab Habib

Plot Summary: The movie begins with a boy named Lorenzo Odone, who was normal until his 7th birthday. After that birthday, he began to have many problems, such as blackouts, memory lapses, and many other mental problems. After a while, he is diagnosed with a condition known as ALD, which is a brain disorder that could not be cured by modern medicine and is extremely rare. Basically the saturated fats, which would normally be destroyed by the body, build up in the brain depleting the myelin in the brain and therefore rapidly making simple functions of the body inoperable. Since many of the doctors in the area where he lived were not helpful to his condition, Lorenzo's parents began to learn more about the disease and how they can help Lorenzo. His parents looked at Lorenzo's disease the way they had prepared for journeys to foreign countries in the past; by studying their subject. In order to do so, both of his parents worked extremely hard reading up on biochemistry and other subject matter related to the disease. After much research and many long nights, his parents discover that what may be the secret to curing this disease is a purified olive oil. Unfortunately, they were literally only half right. Because of this mere 'half-success' in curing the disease his parent's studying continued until they found that a different oil, purified rapeseed oil, in combination with the purified oil would produce the chemicals needed to bring Lorenzo's saturated fat levels back to normal.

THE CRITIQUE

**Powerful Scenes

*1st Scene

• Scene begins with Augusto Odone speaking to Professor Nikolias - Augusto asks the professor if any progress was being made with any of the other kids who have ALD

• Then, the professor said that it is too early to tell whether any progress is being made with Lorenzo, and says that they have to wait six months

• After this, Augusto asks in an angry manner whether waiting six months will produce any results

*2nd Scene

• Scene begins with Augusto speaking to Michaela about what they first did when they went to the Comoros

• Augusto says that they got to learn the country, what resources it had, its laws, and many other things

-Then, Augusto compares that with ALD and says that it also has many dimensions, so in order to learn more about it, one must know about many branches of science, such as chemistry, biology, and neurology

-Then Michaela says that they don't have time to learn about all those branches of science

• Augusto then argues that the doctors don't know anything and that they need to take the treatment of Lorenzo into their hands

• Scene ends with Augusto saying that Lorenzo expects them to take care of him

**Recommendations for how the movie could have been better, and what was good about the movie

• The movie was supposed to be about poverty, but did not talk about the five dimensions of poverty, which are food, shelter, clothing, education, and health care - this only under the assumption that the movie would relate to the topic that we'd been given (poverty) directly

• The movie showed that they didn't have good health care or education, and not it was not only them they didn't have these things, as even the doctors in their area did not have a good education as they knew nothing about the disease that Lorenzo had. This, though was not directly stated as a main point of the movie and it was left to the viewer to deduce this.

• Also, the whole movie focused on how they could cure Lorenzo's disease, but didn't talk about poverty as much, or how they were trying to end poverty; again under the assumption that the movie would relate to poverty directly

• However, the movie, indirectly, showed that without the money that Lorenzo's parents had, Lorenzo would not have had the resources to cure - or at least help - the disease he was suffering from. For instance, someone in a much lower income family than Lorenzo's wouldn't have been able to afford a personal nurse or health-care in the hospital good enough to attend to the patients ALD needs.

A Powerful Story But Also Too FrustratingTo Be 'Entertaining'

[ccthemovieman-1 · 5/10 · 18 May 2006]

The first half hour of this supposed true-life story was just excellent. The visuals were terrific, the kid was nice and the story very interesting. Then it began to go downhill.

It bogged down because went into too much detail of the boy's illness, using technical explanation after explanation. Then, frustration sets in when the caring family couldn't find others - including parents in the same boat - with the dedication they had in finding a cure.

The kid then started to have epileptic-type fits which were anything but fun to watch. (This is a depressing film.) There was still almost an hour to go with this pathetic situation just getting worse by the minute. Add to that Nick Nolte's fake Italian accent in which you can't understand half of what he says....and this film ceased to be entertaining. Yes, it's a great message of perseverance for the right reasons and inspirational in that regard, but it's a frustrating experience to watch, is all I am saying.