Awakenings

Awakenings is the most emotionally moving film I have ever seen. It delves deeply into one of the worst human fears, losing the ability to move and function, but it's never forced or manipulative, and there's no heavy-handed message or moral. It's just a fascinating story that's beautifully told.

The acting is as good as you will ever see. Robert DeNiro deftly handles all the emotional and physical challenges of his role, and Robin Williams demonstrates convincingly that he is an actor, not just a comedian. Williams is perhaps a bit too nerdy at first, but he captures perfectly all the hope, fear, exhilaration, and anguish that a doctor in that situation must be experiencing. Awakenings is based on actual people and events, and, to me at least, real events are always more powerful than even the best fiction.

Awakenings had big-name talent and Oscar nominations, but I don't think it ever had a big box office or became a popular video rental. That's a shame. I like escapist fare as much as the next guy, but once in a while, everyone should see a movie that you will remember and think about for a very long time. Awakenings deserves to be at the top of your list of movies to see.

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. Sayer begins to experiment on a man named Leonard (Robert DeNiro) who hasn't moved in over thirty-years but soon the drug works and brings the man out of this state. This is an extremely fascinating and at times very depressing tale that works on several levels. One level is that we can look at Leonard and ask ourselves what life would be life if it was taken away for thirty years, given back to us for a short period only to have it taken away. This is where the film remains the most powerful because Leonard is someone we can feel sorry for but at the same time his level of wonder is something that we can all hope for. DeNiro's performance here gained him an Oscar-nomination and it's certainly one of the strongest of his career, which is saying quite a bit considering how many great performances he has out there. What makes this one so special is that when we think of DeNiro it's that tough guy but here he brings so much heart and passion to Leonard that we quickly fall in love with him and care for everything that's going to happen. All the various ranges and emotions this character goes through is something pretty remarkable and DeNiro takes each one and really does a marvelous job with it. Whether it's the early stages of Leonard's awakening where he's pretty much like a child learning again or towards the end when the drug or the illness starts to take his life back over. Even if you withdraw yourself from the emotions of the story and just watch DeNiro, the way he walks, talks and has the seizure like movements are just amazing to watch and he doesn't miss a beat. Williams also turns in one of his strongest performances. It's important that we can believe him in this role and for the most part he holds his own with DeNiro. The two work extremely well together and have countless memorable moments. Julie Karver, John Heard and Penelope Ann Miller add nice supporting performances as well. This is at times a hard film to watch due to how depressing it gets at times but it's still a very rewarding experiences due to its message as well as the excellent performances.

"Awakenings" is a positively surprising career change of pace for its two leads, Robin Williams and Robert DeNiro. 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. DeNiro gives an especially moving performance as one of the paitents who also turns out to be one of the drug's biggest success stories. It's a real shame how overlooked this film turned out to be for Williams' career. He should be getting praised for his quality dramatic performances in films that matter like this one rather than for his inferior comedies. This film proves that Williams can successfully expand his range and be a great dramatic actor. The same goes for DeNiro and his performance here as well.

The victims of an encephalitis epidemic many years ago have been catatonic ever since, but now a new drug offers the prospect of reviving them.

Dustin Hoffman as an autistic man in "Rain Man"? You have nothing on Robert DeNiro as a post-encephalitic Parkinson's patient in this film! The tics, the walk, the antics... obviously I was not there when this actually happened, but I was impressed. 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). Was the transformation so sudden and dramatic in real life? I have my doubts. But you have to cut corners to fit within two hours, so if this was one way, it is forgivable.

Ebert gives this four of four stars. I think he was spot on with this one, and his longer-than-average review (stuffed with praise) is excellent.

It's a tale about a doctor(Robin Williams) taking on a new job in the Bronx. His new patients are something of the unusual. A handful of them share an unexplainable disease. The rare disease has left these people frozen in time. One of his main patients is a man named Leonard Lowe, played by Robert Deniro. Doctor Sayer begins a diligent study. To the present day, there are still many questions surrounding this strange disease. During one amazing season in the late 60's, a miracle happened.

In my opinion, both Robin Williams and Robert Deniro should have won Oscars for this film. I always say that Williams with a beard equals an amazing performance. His role as the meek Dr. Sayer is heartwarming. He plays perfectly off Deniro's character. Robert Deniro is golden as Leonard, the disease afflicted patient that gives all of his consciousness to help Dr. Sayer. With the help of a large dose of medicine and care all the patients and hospital staff have awakenings.

One of the most important words spoken in the film is: LEARN.

This film teaches me to appreciate life a little more every time I see it. It hopefully sends us the message to enjoy life. To love and embrace what we have and perhaps learn not to take the natural joys in life for granted is the message.