Lorenzo's Oil (1992) · 18 quotes
Augusto Odone
Dr. Nikolais, what about the other boys, what results are you seeing in them?
Professor Nikolais
As with Lorenzo, it's too early to tell. We need the study to run for the full six months.
Augusto Odone
And that would tell you what is obvious right now? That avoiding apple skins and pizza has no effect on this brutal disease?
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.
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.
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.
I'm sedating him as much as I dare. I don't know what else to do.
Augusto Odone
How can he endure this for so many hours?
Augusto, I don't think he'll have to endure this much longer.
(Lorenzo screaming)
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!
