Lorenzo's Oil [DVD]

This is a review of the standard Region 2 DVD from Universal Pictures UK, released in 2004; it is of acceptable, rather than brilliant, quality.This 1992 biographical drama is based on the true story of the Odone family ~ father Augusto an Italian-born senior executive with the World Bank; mother Michaela a fiery Irish-American; bright and lively young son Lorenzo. Aged 5, Lorenzo is diagnosed with a genetically-linked disease leading speedily to a wide range of serious degenerative effects, then death. The film follows the family from shortly before the onset of the illness, through diagnosis and then how the family tackles the challenge of trying to deal with it, both practically and also psychologically and philosophically.Inevitably, with such a traumatic subject, this film is a hard watch at times. It asks all the hard questions too, in some considerable detail. This is a long film ~ 129 minutes. It is difficult to think of any worse diagnosis to receive. What parent would not be heart-sick at receiving such news? What parent would not be overcome by overwhelming feelings of sorrow, denial, guilt, desperation? How do close family react? Friends? Work colleagues? Who can you turn to for help? Who SHOULD you be able to turn to? The film considers all this, and turns over several rocks to expose some really difficult issues.Susan Sarandon as Michaela was nominated for both an OSCAR and a Golden Globe. She puts in a blistering performance as the mother tiger at the heart of this unthinkable tragedy. Nick Nolte was a slightly bizarre choice for Augusto; he is from Omaha, and he truly struggles to find his inner Italian, though he is persuasively determined, exhausted, angry. Child actor Zack O'Malley Greenburg is a sweet and engaging Lorenzo. There are other well-known faces in supporting roles. British actor Sir Peter Ustinov is Professor Gus Nikolais, actually the late Hugo Wolfgang Moser, Professor of Neurology and Paediatrics at John Hopkins University. Professor Moser was deeply unhappy at the film’s portrayal of his role: he called it "an abomination”.I find myself slightly conflicted about the film. The Odones, particularly Michaela, are the stars, and there are a number of very clear villains. Given the appalling circumstances, the Odones were fortunate, especially in light of America’s lack of publicly-funded health care, to be literate, eloquent and reasonably wealthy. Not all of those they meet, including some who are vilified, are quite so lucky. Others disagree with them for very valid moral reasons. And those in the scientific community, who appear to be difficult and obstructive, generally have valid reasons for behaving so. For clear dramatic impact, the film is perhaps overly partial at times.However, this is an intelligent, worthy and worth-while film. It deals compassionately with an impossible topic.

Good

An old movie but a good one!

Fantastic book. I had heard the story and it sounded very interesting so I bought the book for myself. So well written and very moving

Loved the movie, it was really emotional.

This film will make even the hardest shed a few tears. Truly an amazing film, that shows a mothers love for her son, and that fight she fought with not only the unknown, but with science and her belief that there is a god.

Was hasty reviewing after few mins sound came on impressed with seller got a full refund and watch a beautiful film thankyou

Great movie. I cried to it.