Awakenings (1990)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Penny Marshall

Writers (WGA):

Oliver Sacks (book)
Steven Zaillian (screenplay)

Release Date:

20 December 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

There is no such thing as a simple miracle.

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Doctor | Coma | Catatonic | One Word Title | Diaper Change

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Robert De Niro	...	Leonard Lowe
Robin Williams	...	Dr. Malcolm Sayer
Julie Kavner	...	Eleanor Costello
Ruth Nelson	...	Mrs. Lowe
John Heard	...	Dr. Kaufman
Penelope Ann Miller	...	Paula
Alice Drummond	...	Lucy
Judith Malina	...	Rose
Barton Heyman	...	Bert
George Martin	...	Frank
Anne Meara	...	Miriam
Richard Libertini	...	Sidney
Laura Esterman	...	Lolly
Dexter Gordon	...	Rolando
Jayne Haynes	...	Frances

Runtime:

121 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Australia:M | South Korea:All | USA:PG-13 (certificate #30341) | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:S | Iceland:L | Norway:11 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:11 | UK:12

Filming Locations:

Bronx, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

The name that Leonard spells out on the ouija board is German poet Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926), and the poem that Dr. Sayer quotes in the arboretum is "The Panther."

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When Dr. Sayer takes Leonard out into the city for the first time, they see (among other things) an aircraft landing - a Boeing 747. The movie takes place in 1969 and the first revenue flight of the Boeing 747 was January 21st, 1970. Additionally, the 747 is in El Al livery that was used around 1990.

Quotes:

Anthony: [cheerfully] How's it going?
Frank: How's it going?
Anthony: Yeah, how do you feel?
Frank: Well, my parents are dead. My wife is in an institution. My son has disappeared out west somewhere.
[pause]
Frank: I feel old and I feel swindled, that's how I feel.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Simpsons: Burns' Heir (#5.18)" (1994)

Soundtrack:

O Soave Fanciulla

A wonderful and touching film

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.