SummaryA boy develops a disease so rare that nobody is working on a cure, so his father decides to learn all about it and tackle the problem himself.
Directed By:George Miller
Written By:George Miller, Nick Enright
Lorenzo's Oil
Metascore
Generally Favorable
80
User score
Generally Favorable
7.7
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
80
90% Positive
19 Reviews
19 Reviews
10% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
100
You could trust that Miller would not shoot this tale in the sentimental style of a TV movie of the week, and he hasn't. He has made an impassioned medical thriller as energized as an action movie, as emotionally and stylistically flamboyant as the operas heard on the soundtrack. [04 Jan 1993, p.50]
90
In its own quiet way this is an astonishing film, both as a medical detective story that sustains taut interest over an extended running time and as a piece of cinema combining unusually resourceful acting and direction. If any movie of recent years deserves to be called inspirational--a much-abused term that one hesitates to revive apart from exceptional circumstances--this one certainly does.
88
Lorenzo's Oil begins with an epigram stating that life has meaning only in the struggle. As the film unfolds over 2 hours and 15 minutes, those words take on a greater and deeper significance, resonating throughout a remarkable real-life drama that pulls the viewer through an almost unbearable ordeal to arrive at a pinnacle of triumph and almost miraculous perseverence. [15 Jan 1993, p.03]
80
Lorenzo's Oil is as grueling a medical case study as any audience would ever want to sit through. A true-life story brought to the screen intelligently and with passionate motivation by George Miller, pic details in a very precise way how a couple raced time to save the life of their young son after he contracted a rare, always fatal disease.
75
In short, the film removes any possible shred of gloss or glamorization of the situation. It's gritty, honest and admirable. Sarandon is perfect as the combative mother. You can't take your eyes off her. And Nolte eventually is touching as the dogged father determined to find a cure in the Library of Congress. [15 Jan 1993, p.45]
63
Could Lorenzo's Oil have been better? Easily. Does it still have real power? No question. [22 Jan 1993, p.G4]
50
Lorenzo's Oil, which is further encumbered by its funereal pacing and woebegone score, is definitely a remarkable story, but as told by Miller it isn't really an uplifting one.
User score
Generally Favorable
7.7
91% Positive
20 Ratings
20 Ratings
5% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
5% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Nov 5, 2021
10
A remarkable and unique movie. It won me over back in my youth when I neither liked drama movies nor was sensitive for the topic. Here was something unlike I had seen before. It was fascinating, had strong actors and a story that creates emotions. Also it is based on real events. Lorenzo Odone and the struggles with Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) were real. The story is based on events from 1983 up to 1992. The story is about Lorenzo Odone who has ALD. ALD is a genetic disorder mostly appearing in infancy. It is rare and deadly. Most people only life a few years after the diagnosis and it is a cruel deterioration process. The doctors cant help as it is rare disease and are also indifferent as they see ALD as incurable. His parents decide to take matters into their own hands. They will become experts in the matter and will leave no clue unchecked. This is the set up for the movie. It works really well. The great performances of the actors enhances the story. Both together create a remarkable, immersive and emotional experience. It made me feel the struggles and I could relate to the characters. Firstly I want to praise director George Miller. He is normally just the guy who made Mad Max as it is his most famous work. However he made also other movies I consider hidden gems. This and “The Witches of Eastwick” are underappreciated. Lets continue with the excellent cast. We have Nick Nolte as Auguste Odone and Susan Sarandon as Michaela Odone. Both made an amazing performance. They deliver all emotions that go along with the struggles and I often forgot it was a movie to use a valid description. Then we have Zack O’Malley as Lorenzo Odone. Good child actors are scare and he was one. Excellent performance and amazing as he was just 6 years old. For the rest we got good additional actors with Sir Peter Ustinov, Kathleen Wilhoite and Gerry Bamman to name the most popular. I must mention that Peter Ustinov is always excellent and the others deliver a good performance too. I praise the whole cast but especially the main characters. They show a performance that grabbed my attention and made me feel the movie. Overall I already said that I do not like drama movies. This is an exception and I recommend this with passion. An easy 10/10 form me as the story and actors create an amazing experience.
