If we pardon its occasional lapses, this is a good, if very punishing account of one couple's struggle to find a cure for their son, stricken with ALD - a form of dystrophy which affects male children - which no boy had previously survived longer than 24 months. This is an inspiring story, but the problem with the film, like so many modern ones, is that it goes on too long. By prolonging our agony as well as Lorenzo's, director George Miller dissipates the suspense and dissolves our emotional involvement. Matters are exacerbated near the end by a poorly acted English scientist who tells us he has six months to retirement but looks more like 90. That said, Nick Nolte and Susan Sarandon, as the parents, and Zack O'Malley Greenburg, as the boy, give performances that deserved to be jostling at the Oscar queues that year (though only Sarandon's did). A pity their story is too intense and too repetitious for too long, but the achievements of the real-life people involved are beyond praise and even belief. STAR SPOT. Laura Linney - as a young teacher, in her first film role.

©ipc tx. Film content from TVTimes