Awakenings

December. 19,1990      PG-13
Rating:
7.8
Trailer Synopsis Cast

Dr. Malcolm Sayer, a shy research physician, uses an experimental drug to "awaken" the catatonic victims of a rare disease. Leonard is the first patient to receive the controversial treatment. His awakening, filled with awe and enthusiasm, proves a rebirth for Sayer too, as the exuberant patient reveals life's simple but unutterably sweet pleasures to the introverted doctor.

Robert De Niro as  Leonard Lowe
Robin Williams as  Malcolm Sayer
John Heard as  Dr. Kaufman
Julie Kavner as  Eleanor Costello
Penelope Ann Miller as  Paula
Ruth Nelson as  Mrs. Lowe
Max von Sydow as  Peter Ingham
Anne Meara as  Miriam
Dexter Gordon as  Rolando
George Martin as  Frank

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Reviews

Limerculer
1990/12/19

A waste of 90 minutes of my life

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Kaydan Christian
1990/12/20

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

... more
Logan
1990/12/21

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

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Scarlet
1990/12/22

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

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noahharlen
1990/12/23

Awakenings, based closely on the nonfiction book of the same name by Oliver Sacks, will move, then open, then break your heart. In playing against type, DeNiro and Williams deliver incredibly layered performances as they explore, without being maudlin or sentimental what it means to be human, to be alive, to be a brain in a body. After I saw this movie for the first time I could barely sleep, it nearly triggered a depressive episode but I've actually gone back to it multiple times and read the source material because it's such a fascinating and important, albeit anguishing, story. Awakenings will stay with you, and I can't recommend it enough.

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jackburman98
1990/12/24

With Robert De Nero and the late great Robin Williams the lead stars of this film I knew that I would not be disappointed and that I was not. Throughout the whole film Williams leads the idea of "not having a life", and it takes the awakening of De Nero's character to help him realise this. After the introduction of De Nero and Williams on screen at the same time the real enjoyment comes from this film, their chemistry as characters seemed real which emphasised all emotion intended from this film. Overall, great film and would recommend to anyone.

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851222
1990/12/25

Greetings from Lithuania."Awakenings" (1990) is very moving, very involving and superbly crafted picture. 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. Directing is superb - at running time ~2 hours this movie never drags and is highly involving from start till finish. Script by the great Steven Zaillian is also superb, not overwritten, not to much sentimental. Overall, "Awakenings" is a movie which after seeing it once you will probably won't ever forget it. This is a drama without any action, but it is done so good that its hard to stop watching it and admire. Great movie all around.

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neicho-79775
1990/12/26

Awakenings is, both the happiest and saddest film I have ever seen. It is an emotional roller coaster. It is beautifully filmed. Robert De Niro and Robin Williams are exceptional in this movie. I have never reviewed a film before, but this one was so powerful I felt obliged to let others know. I'm not overly emotional but this one had me holding in the tears with a knot in my throat. It takes an exceptional film to do what this one does to you. There are a lot of meaningless ones out there, I wouldn't even call some of them films, but THIS is A FILM WORTH WATCHING.10/10

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