'' Lorenzo 's Oil '' is a 1992 American drama film directed by George Miller . It is based on the true story of Augusto and Michaela Odone , two parents in a relentless search for a cure for their son Lorenzo 's adrenoleukodystrophy ( ALD ) . It was filmed primarily from September 1991 to February 1992 in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania . The film had a limited release in North America on December 30 , 1992 , with a nationwide release two weeks later on January 15 , 1993 . It was generally well received by the critics and received two nominations at the 65th Academy Awards but was a box office bomb , grossing only $ 7.2 million against its $ 30 million budget
65th Academy Awards
65th Academy Awards
Lorenzo's Oil