Lerenzo's Oil movie questions......?????

Question

Hi I was wondering has anyone out there seen Lerenzo's Oil and if so what "message" was the movie trying to convey?????

Answer 1

It's about ALD

This summary is an attempt at explaining the biochemical basis of ALD. In addition, it is an attempt to use the story of the Odone's to inspire students to learn more about cell biology. As today's student is more attuned to visual stimulation and due to the success of case-based learning, I encourage teachers to use the movie "Lorenzo's Oil" (1992, MCA Universal, 2 hrs 18 min; available at video stores or from Critic's Choice at 1800-367-7765 for $20; VHS or DVD) to illustrate many ideas about lipids and principles of cell biology. However, a complete understanding of the movie requires much library research and I provide a summary below.

The Disease

In the movie, Lorenzo Odone is initially portrayed as a normal, happy, healthy child whose health suddenly declines. Taking place from 1984 to 1987, the parents (Augusto Odone, played by Nick Nolte, and Michaela Odone, played by Susan Sarandon) become involved in a fight to save the life of their son. The Odones train themselves in biology to develop a treatment for their son. The sympathetic portrayal rarely fails to become an indelible memory for my students.

In 1996, Phil Collins has recorded a song called "Lorenzo" in his "Dance Into the Light" album. The lyrics were written by Michaela and Lorenzo.

The disease portrayed in the movie is called adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). Very simply, this disease is due to the removal of white, lipid sheaths (myelin) that surround long thin cells called neurons. Neurons, of course, allow us to think and to move (e..g, control our muscles).

"Leuko" is white (referring to the myelin that covers neurons and makes neurons look white) whereas "dystrophy" refers to "abnormal development." Although there are many forms, the symptoms of the form of ALD shown in the movie begin at age 5 to 12 and death occurs within a couple of years (Moser, 1997). The symptoms (dementia, loss of sight, hearing, speech, and ability to walk-ambulation) are believed to be due to solubilization and removal of the myelin sheath around neurons by a build up of very long chain, saturated fatty acids (VLCSFAs) in the body. Without a myelin sheath, nerve cells do not conduct action potentials; in essence, the neurons stop telling muscles to contract and the patient cannot move. Multiple sclerosis, using a different mechanism, will also remove myelin.

Answer 2

I saw it a long time ago back in school and if I remember correctly the parents (especially the mother) never gave up hope when all the odds were stacked against them. No doctors had really done any work on the disease until Lorenzo and his mother made sure that his life wouldn't go without meaning and purpose. I don't know that it really had a specific message, but maybe, "never give up, keep fighting."

Answer 3

Hi-We watched this movie in a science class for school....it was a true story and gave a lot of publicity to a disease that was barely known before and how the parents never gave up on their child and would try everything. It also shows that sometimes the cures for the rarest diseases are found in our own backyard...(the oils).

Answer 4

I have....it's a heart wrenching movie.....I think the message from the movie is to not give up and to continue to seek answers...even if the situation seems so hopeless. It's also a movie about love and what we are willing to do and sacrifice for that loved one.

Answer 5

i dont have a clue what them message was but that movie is sad... and it scared me a bit!!! everyone needs to watch it!