Film Review, Lorenzo's Oil

Film Review – Lorenzo’s Oil

In the beginning of the film, we meet Lorenzo Odone. He is the incredibly smart and energetic son of Augusto, an Italian, and Michaela, a fiery redheaded American. When the Odone family returns to the US, Lorenzo began showing signs of ALD. This rare disease has no cure, but Lorenzo’s parents were determined to find one. While studying and learning all they could, the Odone’s reviewed all kinds of medical journals and reports. They elicited the help of scientists and even held a symposium with doctors all over the world in an attempt to find a cure. After many hours of research and the aid of scientists, the Odone’s were able to develop Lorenzo’s Oil. If this were not a true story, I would try to draw some symbolism between the Lorenzo’s oil and the oil used in many religious ceremonies. During an argument between Michaela and Augusto, we learn that Michaela refused to attend church once Lorenzo could no longer go. She did not think it was fair for her to enjoy life when he could not. It seemed as if taking care of her son had replaced her religion. Both of the Odone parents processed ideas in different ways and this proved to be an asset when they were working together. Financially, they were well off, and when Lorenzo first became ill, they had no mortgages on their home. They were able to travel with Augusto’s job at the bank, and mirrored their methods of studying new places when researching ALD. In the end, their finances were dwindled and they had two mortgages to pay while Augusto was challenged to go to work when what he really wanted to do was study ALD in hopes of finding a cure. Identifying with the characters of Michaela and Augusto was somewhat hard. Culturally they were from a different background than I, and sometimes they seemed arrogant. Wendy Gimble was the character I identified with the most. She was doing the best she could for her boys. Unable to research the way Michaela and Augusto could did not