Lorenzo's Oil Assignment

For the escrapbook assignment for Lorenzo's Oil, I rewrote the scene occurring at 1:04:40 in which Agusto Odone (Lorenzo's father) is discussing Lorenzo's progress with doctor Nikolais after experimenting with oleic acid.

The Original Script:

Agusto Odone: I very well understand that we are not scientist, but we have observed this in...

Nikolais cuts him off, but what he's saying is not evident over the phone

(Augsto Odone gets off the phone and turns to his wife Michaela Odone and Wendy Gimble, another ALD parent)

Augusto Odone: Alright. Nikolai says it's very interesting

Michaela Odone: Interesting? It's a fifty percent drop!

Augusto Odone: Yes, but he says it's to early to draw a conclusion. They might consider a trail, but he asked us not to tell the other parents.

Wendy Gimble: What?! But the parents have to hear about this

Michaela Odone: We'll tell them that and they can judge for themselves.


My Re-write:

Agusto Odone (on the phone): Yes, I agree. In order to fully understand the uses of Oleic Acid in treating ALD, we have to employ both Lorenzo's story and methodical science.

Augusto Odone (no longer on the phone, now speaking to Michaela and Wendy Gimble):
Nikolai believes that in order to ensure that Oleic Acid is both safe and useful, there should be tests run before the treatment is publicized. He has also asked that we do not tell the other parents, for fear of spreading false hope. Also, if the treatment does in fact not work, he fears that many parents might be taken advantage of in attempts to get the treatment.


I re-wrote this scene to display the doctor's interest and fears, which were not portrayed in the film. The Washington Post article “A Real Life Sequel to Lorenzo's Oil.” discussed how Hugo Moser (Professor Nikolai in the film) was actually very passionate in finding a treatment for ALD. However, he was hesitant to employ Oleic Acid until he discovered the full limitations of the treatment. It was later discovered that the oil can only be utilized as a cure for ALD before the child begins to show symptoms. With this realization, it is understandable why Moser was remained skeptical of the treatment. Also, the article discussed how many parents who purchased the oil at high prices, unaware that it would not help their sons, began to feel as if they had been cheated out of their money. As Moser said in the article, “There was a feeling it was snake oil and people were taking financial advantage of desperate patients.” I also wanted to highlight how the doctors and the Odones had to work together in order to find a cure for ALD and that neither would have gotten far without the other.