Michaela Odone quotes from Lorenzo's Oil (1992)

Augusto Odone

When we first went to the Comoros, what did we do? We got to know the country, right?

Michaela Odone

Yes.

Augusto Odone

We studied, we got to know the language, resources, its law. We studied, right? We should treat Lorenzo's illness like another country.

Michaela Odone

I don't quite see the analogy.

Augusto Odone

All right, all right. ALD has many dimensions, right?

Michaela Odone

Yes

Augusto Odone

So, in order to understand it, we need to command genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, neurology, ology-ology-ology.

Michaela Odone

Augusto, we don't have time to go to medical school.

Augusto Odone

Michaela, the doctors are in the dark. They're groping in the dark. They've got Lorenzo on a turvy-topsy diet. And that bloody immunosuppression is brutal and useless. Michaela, we should not have consigned him blindly into their hands. He should not suffer by our ignorance. We take responsibility. So... we read a little. And we go out and inform ourselves. Hmm.

Michaela Odone

But... to miss time with him while he can still speak to us... How can…"

Augusto Odone

Yes, I know, I know. But he expects it of us.

Michaela Odone

The life of one boy is not enough reward for you to risk the reputation of the institution and the esteem of your peers.

Professor Nikolais

That was uncalled for. Your responsibility is merely towards your own child. My responsibility is towards all the boys that suffer from this disease, now and in the future. Of course I anguish for the suffering of your boy. And of course I applaud you for the efforts you make on his behalf. But I will have nothing to do with this oil.

Michaela Odone

We are not asking, Doctor, for your anguish or your applause. We are asking merely for a little courage.

Michaela Odone

Here he is! The cleverest boy in the world!

Hi, Mom!

Michaela Odone

What's this?

See you tomorrow, Lorenzo!

It's, uh, it's a picture.

Michaela Odone

Oh, my goodness!

And, uh, there's the Comoros.The little islands.

Michaela Odone

Of course, it is.

Mrs. Odone, may I have a word?

Michaela Odone

Very skillful, Sweetheart.

And, uh, Jupiter.

Michaela Odone

Jupiter's next to the Comoros? I'll be right there, Lorenzo.

Okay, Mommy.

Michaela Odone

Yes?

Is Lorenzo having any problems at home?

Michaela Odone

Not that I know of, why?

Because today, he suddenly started throwing paints around. He went wild destroying other children's paintings.

Michaela Odone

Surely, he must've been provoked then?

No, it came out of the blue. He's normally such a terrific kid.

Michaela Odone

Darling, how were they annoying you? Were they teasing you?

No.

Michaela Odone

Were they touching your paints?

No.

Michaela Odone

Well, how were they annoying you?

They just were.

Michaela Odone

Doing what?

Things.

Michaela Odone

What kind of things?

Things that make me feel annoyed.

Now, hold my hand.

Michaela Odone

Yes, Sweetie.

Now, the story.

Michaela Odone

And what story is that, Sweetheart.

La Notte di San Lorenzo

Michaela Odone

San Lorenzo, who is?

My patron saint and saint to my father's village.

Michaela Odone

That's right, and what happened to him?

He was in Rome and, I forgot.

Augusto Odone

Well; many years ago, the bad guy says to him 'Bring me the riches of your church!' and Lorenzo, he brings them the beggars and the sick people and he says—

'These are our riches!'

Augusto Odone

Yes! Bravo, Lorenzino!

Michaela Odone

That's wonderful, Sweetheart! So clever!

Augusto Odone

Bravo! And tonight, August 10th, is?

La Notte di San Lorenzo.

Michaela Odone

The night of the shooting stars.

Augusto Odone

When anything can happen.

Why are all these people here?

Immunosuppression Doctor

Beg your pardon, Lorenzo?

Why are all these people here?

Doctor

He asks 'why all these people are here?'

Immunosuppression Doctor

Well, they're all doctors and they want to learn how to help other boys in the future.

Other boys with the boo-boo?

Michaela Odone

Yes, Darling.

Mrs. Odone?

Michaela Odone

Another incident?

Yes. And today, it was much worse.

Mrs. Odone, is there some trouble at home?

Michaela Odone

Why do you assume the trouble is at home?

Because there's nothing here that explains his behavior. It's... disturbed.

He does present as a Hyperactive.

Michaela Odone

But Hyperactives repeat tasks endlessly, don't they?

They perseverate, yes.

Michaela Odone

Lorenzo's activities all have a shape and structure: beginning, middle and end.

Augusto Odone

My Gosh, he's learned three languages. How can he be Hyperactive?

I know it's hard to accept that a gifted child may also be disturbed.

I think that Lorenzo needs to be referred to our IDP committee.

Michaela Odone

What's that?

Augusto Odone

For what?

Individual Disablity Placement. Lorenzo needs to be in a special ed. class.

Michaela Odone

Any special ed. our son needs will be provided at home.

Augusto Odone

It's a school, Lorenzo, like any other school.

It's full of doctors?

Michaela Odone

Yes, Darling. Some of the cleverest in America.

Immunosuppression Doctor

What color's that cross?

Red.

Immunosuppression Doctor

That's right. It's red. I'm gonna speak to your parents but Leah's gonna stay and check your blood pressure, okay? I'll be right back.

I'll just put this around your arm.

Immunosuppression Doctor

Look, it's important you both know what's going on. Cyclophosphamides are no picnic. This is all-out chemotherapy. We're gonna be suppressing his immune system. It's very high-risk We're gonna need to keep him here at least three weeks.

That's it.

Immunosuppression Doctor

Lorenzo's still walking, he's still talking, he's still communicating. But that can all change, now, knowing all of this, do you still want us to go through with this?

Michaela Odone

Given the alternatives, yes.

Immunosuppression Doctor

The faculty is very grateful to Lorenzo for doing this.

Immunosuppression Doctor

Ladies and gentlemen, this is Lorenzo Odone; whom I've spoken to you about. Now; young Mr. Odone, you need to come with me. You're getting so big! I'm gonna put you up here so we can all see you, okay? Attaboy. Ten weeks after diagnosis, we observe hemianopia. The pupillary light reflexes are still intact and, as yet, there is no optic atrophy. However, there is evidence of early occipital lobe involvement."

Why are all these people here?

Immunosuppression Doctor

I beg your pardon, Lorenzo?

Why are all these people here?

Doctor

He asks why all these people are here.

Immunosuppression Doctor

Well, they're all doctors and they want to learn how to help other boys in the future.

Other boys with the boo-boo?

Michaela Odone

Yes, Darling.

Mm-hm.

Immunosuppression Doctor

Thank you, Lorenzo. Now in the scanning speech, we look for both ends of the pathology: centrally for the dysphasia and peripherally for the dysarthria. Now, Lorenzo, would you walk for me please? Attaboy. That's right, hold my hands. That's right. Two months ago, there was simply motor lag. Now, note the characteristic gait, it's due mostly to hyperreflexia but exacerbated by the encroaching paresis. You're doing very well, Lorenzo! Keep coming!

Only if you stop talking like that.
(Audience whispering)

Augusto Odone

Michaela, let me take him. You need rest.

Michaela Odone

I'm fine. I could use a cup of coffee though.

Augusto Odone

Okay.

Michaela Odone

Lorenzo, Lorenzo, listen to Mama. Can you hear me, my darling? If this is too much for you, my Sweetheart… well then, you fly. Fly as fast as you can to the Baby Jesus. It's okay, Mama and Papa will be okay.
(Lorenzo crying)

Michaela Odone

Anyhow, it was snowing and he began to rub my hands to warm them.

Uh-oh!

Michaela Odone

No, no, no, he then produced photos of his wife and children.

That old routine!

Augusto Odone

Oh, Deirdre!

Michaela Odone

Had I'd known this would be the man I would wait ten years for, I would've let you pick up the check.

Hey, everybody! Look at me! (Laughs happily)

Augusto Odone

I did pick it up!

Michaela Odone

Excuse me! You did not! I'm sorry but I… I even left the tip! (Laughs) Look at him, Mother!

That's not fair!

Lorenzo's fallen off his bike and he is really bleeding!