Awakenings

Plot synopsis:
In 1969, Dr. Malcolm Sayer (Robin Williams) is a dedicated and caring physician at a local hospital in the New York City borough of The Bronx. After working extensively with the catatonic patients who survived the 1917–1928 epidemic of encephalitis lethargica, Sayer discovers certain stimuli will reach beyond the patients' respective catatonic states; actions such as catching a ball, hearing familiar music, and experiencing human touch all have unique effects on particular patients and offer a glimpse into their worlds. Leonard Lowe (Robert De Niro) proves elusive in this regard, but Sayer soon discovers that Leonard is able to communicate with him by using a Ouija board.
After attending a lecture at a conference on the subject of the L-Dopa drug and its success with patients suffering from Parkinson's Disease, Sayer believes the drug may offer a breakthrough for his own group of patients. A trial run with Leonard yields astounding results: Leonard completely "awakens" from his catatonic state. This success inspires Sayer to ask for funding from donors so that all the catatonic patients can receive the L-Dopa medication and experience "awakenings" back to reality.
Meanwhile, Leonard is adjusting to his new life and becomes romantically interested in Paula (Penelope Ann Miller), the daughter of another hospital patient. Leonard also begins to chafe at the restrictions placed upon him as a patient of the hospital, desiring the freedom to come and go as he pleases. He stirs up a revolt by arguing his case to Sayer and the hospital administration. Sayer notices that as Leonard grows more agitated, a number of facial and body tics are starting to manifest, which Leonard has difficulty controlling.
While Sayer and the hospital staff are thrilled by the success of L-Dopa with this group of patients, they soon find that it is a temporary measure. As the first to "awaken", Leonard is also the first to demonstrate the limited duration of this period of "awakening". Leonard's tics grow more and more prominent and he starts to shuffle more as he walks, and all of the patients are forced to witness what will eventually happen to them. He soon begins to suffer full body spasms and can hardly move. Leonard puts up well with the pain, and asks Sayer to film him, in hopes that he would someday contribute to research that may eventually help others. Leonard acknowledges what is happening to him and has a last lunch with Paula where he tells her he cannot see her anymore. When he is about to leave, Paula dances with him, and for this short period of time his spasms disappear. Leonard and Sayer reconcile their differences, but Leonard returns to his catatonic state soon after. The other patients' fears are similarly realized as each eventually returns to catatonia no matter how much their L-Dopa dosages are increased.
Sayer tells a group of grant donors to the hospital that although the "awakening" did not last, another kind — one of learning to appreciate and live life — took place. For example, he himself overcomes his painful shyness and asks Nurse Eleanor Costello (Julie Kavner) to go out for coffee, many months after he had declined a similar proposal from her. The nurses also now treat the catatonic patients with more respect and care, and Paula is shown visiting Leonard. The film ends with Sayer standing over Leonard behind a Ouija board, with his hands on Leonard's hands, which are on the planchette. "Let's begin," Sayer says.

Tags: inspiring, violence, dramatic, sentimental

Review:
Based on a true story, the film is about the experimental drug invented by Dr. Oliver Sacks (Williams) and how it successfully awakened many paitents from catatonic states which had lasted as long as 30 years.
Now, "Awakenings" has done it.Another great thing about "Awakenings," is that it truly teaches us to appreciate the simple things in life that we take for granted, from taking a walk by yourself or reading a book or even just brushing your teeth.I don't care what anyone says, both Robin Williams' and Robert DeNiro's performances were excellent and touching.
Robin Williams is great and Robert De Niro should have won the Oscar for his performance in this movie.
I wish both she and Williams would do more roles like that.With multiple viewings, I came to appreciate the minor characters in here a lot more, such as De Niro's mother, played by Ruth Nelson, whom I fondly remember in the 1945 film "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn." What a treat is was to see her again and this was just two years before she died.
Also, Alice Drummund as the patient known as "Lucy" was notable.Language-wise, i's almost stunning to watch a movie which has De Niro, Williams, Miller and John Heard and not hear one profane word uttered!
Robin Williams & Robert Deniro are Hollywood's greatest actors and this may be the only film you'll see them in together, so go out and get this on DVD (its cheap!) Bare in mind that despite the films early slow pace, you'll find yourself never wanting this film to end as you draw closer to its conclusion, Deniro gives the performance of his life & i wish the Oscar film board had a resubmission/review board to correct there past mistakes/injustices so that i could fill them up in a room with this on screen & watch there faces as they walked out after watching it begging for forgiveness for not awarding it the Oscar!.
Robert Di Niro and Robin Williams give one of their best performances in this film.
A touching, emotional and inspiring story about a shy doctor with no life that arrives to the chronic hospital in the Bronx to work with post-encephalitic patients, there he meets Leonard a man who's been catatonic for nearly 30 years.While he helps Leonard to restarts his life he began to learn how live his own.
The directing was great, Director Penny Marshall did a great job with a very simple view of how's the life of that kind of patients and of the people around them with a very good movie rhythm that flows perfectly and never bores you.
Robert De Niro's performance was flawless, there's no doubt that it was an Oscar nomination role, Robin Williams was also great as Dr. Malcolm Sayer, one of his best performances ever.
Robin Williams and Robert De Niro are amazing in this film, both gained popularity and somewhat lessened, but this film shows them at their finest.The story is based on the memoir by Oliver Sacks who found treatment for encephalitis lethargica, which was an epidemic during 1917-1928.The story is not as I expected, it always had something new and interesting, and when I thought I knew the direction of the film, suddenly it changes.Even 20 years later, this film is as strong as ever.
The problem remains that many of these true stories may have happened with a few bunch of people or to a minuscule portion of the society.And the rapid changes conditioned upon this society that such touching incidents are veiled and have to wait for the eventuality of a writer like Oliver sacks to bring it back to life through his book of the same name.Here is a movie of belief and hope that will lift your spirits no matter what you have experienced in life.I was in tears as i watched how unfair life can be.Robin Williams has portrayed Dr.Sayer with true conviction, and Deniro's performance is commendable.Penny Marshall has done a tremendous job directing this Drama.I strongly recommend this to everyone.Mukarram.Dhorajiwala.
Derived from an account published in 1973 by neurologist Oliver Sacks, this too-strange- not-to-be-true story is magical because it doesn't really try to be - as Dr. Malcolm Sayer (Robin Williams), the miracle-working character based on Dr. Sacks, says, "We have to adjust to the realities of miracles." The realities, as dramatized in Steven Zallian's script, are these: In 1969, Dr. Sayers accepts employment at a chronic-care hospital in the Bronx and is mysteriously drawn to a group of catatonic patients referred to as "living statues." Convinced that the patients are cognitively and emotionally alive, despite their external fossilization (some have been immobile for more than 30 years), he investigates their histories.
At first, he is stymied by the guesswork diagnoses on record - "atypical schizophrenia"; "atypical hysteria" - and mutters to his nurse (Julie Kavner), "You'd think at a certain point, all these 'atypical' somethings would amount to a 'typical' something." They do: Dr. Sayer discovers that the statues have in common an episode of viral encephalitis.The miracle is this: Aware that the experimental compound L-DOPA has proved effective as a treatment for Parkinsonism, a disease Dr. Sayer believes resembles the condition in which his statues find themselves, he proposes using the drug on one of them, Leonard Lowe (Robert De Niro), a middle-aged man who began "disappearing" into brief episodes of paraylsis at the age of 11 and was permanently hospitalized nine years later, in 1939.
He totally blows me away in this film and should have won the Oscar for it ( In my opinion) it is his greatest ever bit of acting and considering the incredible performances he has put in over the years this beats them all.The film itself is fantastic and inspiring,it's a true story which makes it even more heartwarming and emotional to watch,I've watched it many times and each time the film gets to me.
Based on the novel by Oliver Sacks {Malcom Sayer played by Robin Williams} the only real cause for grumble from myself is that sadly, the film fails to fully form the shock and terror these newly roused patients must have felt.
It's briefly touched on with a couple of tender moments, notably thru Alice Drummond's Lucy, but the main focus of the film, perhaps not surprisingly, is the relationship between Williams' Sayer and Robert DeNiro's Leonard Lowe.DeNiro is on full Oscar baiting tilt here {nominated but lost out to Jeremy Irons for Reversal of Fortune} and it's a magnetic performance, tender and close to heart breaking at times.
Penny Marshall makes a film that takes you back in time and makes you feel proud to have a life!A true story of British neurologist Oliver Sacks, fictionalized as American Malcolm Sayer, played by Robin Williams, who, in late 60's, discovers beneficial effects of the then-new drug L-Dopa.
Leonard Lowe, played by De Niro and the rest of the patients were awakened after decades of catatonic state and have to deal with a new life in a new time.
Then there are the performances, both Robin Williams and Robert DeNiro give outstanding performances, and John Heard and Julie Kavner are equally impressive.Overall, if you like this sort of film, by all means see Awakenings, because I think you will like it.
i think the film really deserved to win Oscar because in these days when we talk about a adaption of a true story we all accept that a lots of the things and happening can be different from the truth, but this one shows completely reverse and want to show that to make a good movie from a true story you have to be honest at first.
Robin Williams did alright, too, playing it straight in one of his many turns as a doctor on film.I love Oliver Sacks and his writing, and I am glad they were able to make such a great adaptation that was both educational and entertaining (like his books are).
The narrative awkwardly splits itself into focusing on the doctor, played by Robin Williams who you can tell is in a dramatic role because he has a beard and is wearing a leather jacket, and one of the patients named Leonard Lowe, played by Robert De Niro.The focus is split between the two of them, but not in a very cohesive way at all.
look at the script, it is so smart that i discovered later it got an Oscar nomination.And the acting, oh my goodness, this maybe the best performance ever by De niro, he was shining like the sun itself, and Robin Williams was so nice that i wanted to bite him.Please compare this with One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Awakenings is the best in its era in every single way, the only good thing about One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is the performance of Jack Nicholson, but nothing else.how on earth did Louise Fletcher won a best actress in a leading role Oscar on a 30 minute role, i still can't understand that..
And just when you feel like there isn't enough going on in this film, the true meaning of the story emerges and blooms into a beautiful and moving tale.Now you just can't talk about Awakenings without mentioning Robin Williams and Robert De Niro.
Robert De Niro is catatonic for half the film but the way he pulls of his character awakening from this thirty year long catatonic state is incredible.
Great performances all round, particularly from Robert De Niro as Leonard Lowe and Robin Williams as Dr. Malcolm Sayer, who both went and observed Oliver Sacks and his patients prior to making this film, and it showed.
Awakenings directed by Penny Marshall is really an amazing movie.Great performances from Robert De Niro & Robin Williams.I feel Robin Williams should do more movies of this kind.Robert De Niro shows how good he is in any role.A legend he is.Fantastic talks between De Niro & Williams will surely touch you.Such is the theme of the movie,that specially after the sad ending you will be left empty hearted.Though direction could have been much better.This movie is very much underrated for my liking.Should be given more applauds.Fantastic acting with a sad theme will surely play with your sentiments.Great film.A rare awakening.People,so wake up & see this masterpiece..
Robin Williams tones down his manic persona for the role of the shy doctor who brings about this miracle cure - and given that he couldn't have been an obvious casting choice he does extremely well.Although it avoids overt sentimentality, the film does contain some typical Hollywood touches which, given the nature of the story, may be unavoidable.
I was handed a DVD by one of my friends filled with couple of crap on it but as I guessed earlier there was still hope to see some good stuff on it It was Awakenings (1990) starring Robin Williams (one of my favorite actors) and also Robert De Niro.
He's been in good movies though and Awakenings is definitely one of his best performances, but that's not only due to his acting but more because this is such a strong, beautiful and emotional story.
Robin Williams was cast to play Dr. Sacks, although the character's name was changed to Dr. Malcolm Sayer, a shy doctor who prior to have been hired at the ward had very little experience working with patients.
Marshall's film was nominated for Best Picture, and just like her previous movie it also earned a nomination for the lead actor, De Niro.
Leonard Lowe (A brilliant Robert De Niro) and the rest of the patients are awakened after decades of catatonia and have to deal with a new life in a new time.
Robin Williams Robert De Niro and Penelope Ann Miller are all brilliant as is Julie Kavner, John Heard and Ritchard Libertini (Who I always enjoy watching on screen) are both good value too.
In addition to being a heart warming story (and most of it being true), the performances by both Robert De Niro and Robin Williams are definitely super!
The performances by Robert De Niro and Robin Williams are fantastic and this is one of the best movies of 1990.
The notion that catatonic patients, here long suffers of an encephalitis outbreak, are fully aware of their surroundings but are trapped is heart wrenching enough, but add the personal challenges, triumphs, and disappointments of Dr. Malcolm Sayer (Robin Williams), nurse Eleanor Costello (Julie Kavner) and patient Leonard Lowe (Robert De Niro), and the emotional story is elevated even higher.
Robert De Niro received an Oscar nomination as a patient who discovers the world (and girls!), but there's no room for spontaneity in the performances because Penny Marshall has directed the whole thing as an exercise in sentiment; it's meant to get us in the throat and in the chest, and those who make a connection are responding to the smoothly-designed mechanization of an old movie formula (which isn't even updated for the benefit of those who have seen all this before).
Awakenings (1990) **** (out of 4) Incredibly powerful drama based on a true story about Dr. Sayer (Robin Williams) who gets a job at a mental hospital where many patients are suffering from some sort of catatonic disease that leaves them motionless.
(1933-2015) presents his essays on treating a rare neurological brain-infecting virus that completely shuts down the motoric as sensual systems by alternating the human immune system, which had been fulminate adapted by screenwriter Steve Zaillian, who eventually gets recognized for his decisive as well-researched material into cinematic dramatizations, which director Penny Marshall, who in her own right just departed from a huge hit at the U.S. domestic box offices with "Big" starring Tom Hanks, at age 31, when here Robert De Niro, playing the Encephalitis-infected patient Leonard for three decades in coma-like state of no-interaction with any opposite human beings, and Robin Williams with gentle-retreats of a compassionated Doctor Malcolm Sayer as synonym for off-screen credited Oliver Sacks.Together, alongside with "state of the art" cinematography of no further experiments, but perfectly-received coverage and an realistically-designed Mental Institution environment of 1969 in New York City's outcasting borough of the Bronx, cast and crew find a balanced picture, where any medically-as-humane interested spectator can witness at least on-screen, what it is means to live with utmost life-threatening conditions, when medication, here at that time newly develop neurotransmitting-dopamine (drug) wakes the brain-virus-infected patients for the time being, in witnessing action beats by Robert De Niro as Leonard, who runs through a full cycle of emotions of being completly rehabilitated to shrink under the pressures of life itself, while meeting as caring people all-around with suspense-peaking as heart-breaking scene of dancing with Penelope Ann Miller as Paula under slight hints of a highly-emotional soundtrack by Randy Newman.© 2018 Felix Alexander Dausend
Probably one of the best movies I have ever seen.I followed the success of Dr. Malcolm Sayer (superb Robin Williams) as if it were my own; I cried with joy and sadness and felt the same frustration as Leonard (brilliant Robert De Niro); and Leonard's mother (splendid Ruth Nelson) was a caring, confused and a warrior defending her child like a true Mother in this type of situation usually is.As we know from the start that it is based on a true story, the whole movie feels genuine to us and the superb performances of all the actors make us believe in everything that is displayed on the screen.
However, there is one film that seems to slip under the radar a bit (I had never heard of it until a friend "dug it up"), and that is a shame...as "Awakenings" is a movie that will touch your spirit.The basic plot of the film (based on the true story of the life experiences of Dr. Oliver Sacks) sees Dr. Malcolm Sayer (Williams) assigned to the neurotic ward of a mental institution, where he quickly becomes fascinated with encephalitis patients, who are literally frozen in stature and have been that way for decades.
Loosely based on a real story, it tells a powerful one, very simple yet very moving story - miracle if you ask me.Performances are first rate here from the great Robert De Niro and very good one from Robin Williams.
And Robert De Niro does an amazing job of playing a catatonic patient, which I imagine would be amazingly difficult.I enjoyed how the film shows the audience how the medical field operated during the time period.
A doctor discovers a drug to wake up catatonic patients.Starring Robin Williams and Robert De Niro.Written by Oliver Sacks ( Novel) and Steven Zaillian ( Screenplay )Directed by Penny Marshall.This is superb!It ticks all of the boxes as to what a movie should be.
Robert De Niro and Robin Williams are exceptional in this movie.
Directed by Penny Marshall, and starring Robert de Niro and Robin Williams (along with a few other familiar faces), AWAKENINGS is a wonderful film which explores the deep-seated human need for personal connections and the vitality they bring to life.
Robert de Niro plays Leonard Lowe, a patient who has been catatonic for 30 years.
Robin Williams plays Dr. Malcolm Sayer, a neurologist who works at the hospital where Leonard and many others like him are patients.
Robin Williams show us his dramatic ability in Awakenings, and Robert DeNiro's performance is probably one of the best acting jobs I have ever seen.
The passage of time must have done something to my sensibilities because I've just had the opportunity to see it again and this time I was quite taken with the film.The movie is a true story based on the work of Dr. Malcolm Sayer, a New York neurologist who discovers a potential treatment for patients who have lived in a catatonic state due to encephalitis and succeeds in "awakening" several of them during the summer of 1969.