Awakenings
Dr. Malcolm Sayer, a shy research physician, administers an experimental drug to awaken the catatonic victims of a rare disease. Leonard becomes the first patient to receive the controversial treatment. His awakening, infused with wonder and vitality, marks a rebirth for Sayer as the exuberant patient introduces the introverted doctor to the simple, unutterably sweet pleasures of life.
Director(s)
Penny Marshall
Sheila Paige
Tony Gittelson
Glen Trotiner
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Wuchak
***A ‘hospital film’ with Robin Williams and Robert De Niro, based on a true story*** A shy doctor (Robin Williams) gets a job at a Bronx hospital in 1969 where he attends to several patients in a catatonic state after the encephalitis epidemic of 1917–28. He experiments with a new drug that offers the hope of reviving them. Robert De Niro plays his key patient, Julie Kavner his nurse and John Heard his supervisor. Penelope Ann Miller is also on hand as a potential romantic interest. "Awakenings” (1990) is based on Oliver Sacks' 1973 memoir of the same name, which chronicled the true event that occurred the summer of ’69. Being a hospital movie about ailing people trying to recover puts it in the same camp as “One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest” (1975) and “Instinct” (1999), but it’s not as compelling. There’s just not enough human interest beyond the viewer being sympathetic toward the patients’ plight and wanting them to get well. It’s also marred by some blatant predictableness, like Leonard’s name on the bench and the “cup of coffee” aspect. Still, this is a tale that needed to be told and I’m not sorry I watched it. It’s just overrated. The film runs 2 hours and was shot in Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens, New York City. GRADE: C+
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Awakenings FAQs
The directors of Awakenings are Penny Marshall, Sheila Paige, Tony Gittelson, and Glen Trotiner.
The cast of Awakenings includes Robin Williams as Malcolm Sayer, Bradley Whitford as Dr. Tyler, Tiger Haynes as Janitor, Julie Kavner as Eleanor Costello, Max von Sydow as Peter Ingham, Robert De Niro as Leonard Lowe, Peter Stormare as Neurochemist, Laura Esterman as Lolly, Steven Randazzo as Luis, Vin Diesel as Hospital Orderly (uncredited), Mary Alice as Nurse Margaret, Richard Libertini as Sidney, and more.
The duration of Awakenings is 2h 0 mins.
Yes. You can watch the Awakenings trailer on this Fanbiz page on Fanziz.
You can watch Awakenings on Apple TV Store (Rent), Amazon Video (Rent), and Apple TV Store (Buy). Check this Fanbiz page for the latest platforms.
Awakenings was released on 04 Dec 1990.
Awakenings is listed under Drama on Fanbiz.
Awakenings has 1 review on Fanziz, with an average rating of 5.0/10. One reviewer wrote: "***A ‘hospital film’ with Robin Williams and Robert De Niro, based on a true story*** A shy doctor (Robin Williams) gets a job at a Bronx hospital in 1969 where he attends to..."
