Lorenzo Odone, a Virginia 5-year-old, develops a degenerative nerve disease so rare that nobody is working on a cure, so his parents decide to immerse themselves in research and tackle the problem themselves.

Nick Nolte
as Augusto Odone

Susan Sarandon
as Michaela Odone

Peter Ustinov
as Professor Nikolais

Ann Hearn
as Loretta Muscatine

Maduka Steady
as Omuori

Aaron Jackson
as Francesco Odone

Laura Linney
as Young Teacher

Kathleen Wilhoite
as Deirdre Murphy

Gerry Bamman
as Doctor Judalon

Margo Martindale
as Wendy Gimble