Movie suggestions??

MissdonditaBsn · Jan 25, 2003

Lorenzo's Oil (1992)

How far would parents go to save their child's life? Susan Sarandon and Nick Nolte star in this moving, based-on-fact drama as a couple whose pre-schooler son is stricken with a rare nerve disease that leaves him unable to move or communicate. Told b y doctors that nothing can be done, the two refuse to give up and begin a daunting and relentless search for a cure. With Peter Ustinov, Zack O'Malley Greenburg. 135 min.

This is a really good movie. I don't remember the name of the disease, but I remember that the gene is passed on through the mother and that it effects primarily boys. It is based on a true story.

MissdonditaBsn · Jan 25, 2003

More about the movie and the disease

Augusto and Michaela Odone (Nick Nolte and Susan Sarandon) are the adoring parents of a bright little boy who inexplicably develops alarming behavioral problems, after they return from working in the Comoro Islands. A series of investigations results in a diagnosis of adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), but the boy rapidly deteriorates into a bed-ridden, inarticulate state. Frustrated by the medical profession's inability to help, Augusto and Michaela embark on an odyssey of salvation, studying lipid metabolism, promoting international conferences, and trying to disseminate their findings to other parents.

Their insights lead them to experiment with at least two effective therapies, one of which is erucic acid (Lorenzo's oil). Michaela feels guilt as well as grief, when she understands that the X-linked disease is passed from mother to son. In an effort to keep Lorenzo at home, she refuses to admit the extent of his disability, alienates her family, dismisses nurses, and assumes most of the care herself, nearly ruining her own health and her marriage. The film ends hopefully with tiny signs of recovery in Lorenzo. The credits roll over the faces and voices of happy, healthy-looking boys who have been taking Lorenzo's Oil.

Commentary A true story, told from the optimistic perspective of the parents, this moving film vividly and frankly portrays the marital strain caused by a child's illness. Leaders of an ALD support group are cast as unquestioning followers of useless medical advice, who simply await the inevitable end of their children.

The Odones' energetic pursuit of a cure is inspiring; however, it also raises important questions about the ownership, nature, and anonymity of the scientific method, represented by the cautiously sympathetic, real-life expert, Dr. Hugo Moser of Baltimore (Peter Ustinov). The parents and the film have had an impact on research: the Odones are authors of scientific papers and the term "Lorenzo's Oil" can now be found in the medical literature.

2banurse · Jan 25, 2003

Now MissDonditaBSN, I was going to give the same suggestion, but I think you need to let KarenAR watch it and do the research.

It was an excellent movie though!

Kris

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Jan 26, 2003

Karen, When you get so many recommendations for the same movie/book, on two different threads...........maybe it's worth using this one!

mimi

KarenAR · Jan 26, 2003

Thank you all. I keep hearing of that one. My professor also suggested it (among others). I'll have to check it out.

Any other ideas, in case other students in my class are doing that one? We are splitting up into groups to do this project...not sure if she'll allow multiple groups to watch the same film.

Thanks again!