Awakenings

Rating:
Summary: A moving revelation
Review: There is one scene I will always remember from Awakenings. It's when Dr. Malcolm Sayer (Robin Williams) sits on a bench at the zoo watching a large cat pace behind the bars, staring out at him but unable, of course, to leave its confinement. All it does is pace. And in a voiceover we can hear a Rilke poem, "The Panther," ("his gaze has been so worn by the procession...") And Sayer begins to understand what is going on in the minds of his catatonic patients; though their bodies are dead, their higher mental functions may not be.

The focus is on one patient, Leonard Lowe (Robert De Niro), who for years now has not moved or spoken or really given any sign that he is aware of the world. Sayer discovers, however, that with the use of a certain drug, L-dopa (usually given to people with Parkinson's), the catatonic people can begin to move and "come alive" again. Suddenly the psychiatric ward is full of people who have missed out on decades of their lives, and are trying to come to terms with that. More alarming yet is the fear that the drug's effects will be only temporary.

Robin Williams delivers a deep, quiet performance as the introverted doctor, a loner who did research on earthworms before taking his position at the psychiatric ward. His work with his patients, particularly Leonard (who is the first to receive L-dopa), teaches the doctor humanity and encourages him to develop a friendship with Eleanor, a sweet and shy nurse (played by Julie Kavner - the voice of Marge Simpson). Robert De Niro is wonderful. He embraces the role completely, delivering it without artifice or bathos. As a whole the movie proceeds slowly, so it's not for the impatient viewer. If you let it, it will draw you in; it really is one of the finest films out there on the human mind and soul.

Rating:
Summary: TOUCHING DRAMA WITH SUPERB PERFORMANCES.
Review: "Awakenings" is one of those movies that will touch most of the people due to the situations that the film shows. The movie is based on a book written by real-life neurologist Oliver Sacks, represented in the movie as Dr. Malcolm Sayer, played by Robin Williams. This is the story of a group of catatonic people living in the '60s, and the struggle of Dr. Sayer to save these people.

It's really a shame that diseases like this can destroy the ability to fulfill the hopes and desires of the human beings, and "Awakenings" superbly captures on-screen the pain and suffer of the relatives of the affected people that can't fully enjoy their physical abilities.

"Awakenings" displays excellent performances from Robin Williams, in one of his finest performances, and the magnificent Robert De Niro as well. However, the movie wouldn't had the same impact if the supporting cast wouldn't delivered such fine performances as they did on "Awakenings", everybody on this movie contributed to print a remarkable realism to the movie.

"Awakenings" is a film that will provoke several feelings, will provide clean entertainment and will make people reflect about the value of life, because the human life could be limited or finished at any time.

Rating:
Summary: Williams + De Niro = Brilliant Film
Review: "What's this?" Leonard says as he turns the radio dial.
"Rock music" Dr.Sayer tells him.

Makes you wander if we appreciate the things we assume are suppose to (be, come out, or just happen) b/c that's the way it happens for everyone else. So if you don't really acknowledge that you appreciated what you had and unexpectedly lose that or those things, do you have the right to be angry at anyone or something for taking it away from you?

This movie in a way; if you look at it at a different perspective than you would a normal movie makes you see that we take advantage of too many things and we could never in a million years make up all the (things) we have been too busy to say or have had the mind-set (that's the way it's suppose to be)

Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary Insights Into Paying Attention/Brain Chemistry
Review: "Awakenings" with Robin Williams provides extraordinary insights into the brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) which govern such concepts as paying attention, waking up, falling asleep, human movement, memory and other areas. The movie, based on the book by Oliver W. Sacks, M.D., is in the same category as A Remarkable Medicine Has Been Overlooked (Dilantin) by Jack Dreyfus and How To Cure Hyperactivity (aka ADD - Attention Deficit Disorder)(Journey to Understanding)(FDA approved caffeine compound which reduced distractibility and increased attention span) by Dr. Anita Uhl Brothers, M.D., and C. Thomas Wild. The movie "Awakenings" displays how these improvements are directly related to how long the medicine works effectively which is often far shorter than is hoped for or expected yet these observations match those of others, that is, many improvements are too often only temporary but quite real suggesting the need for more research to eventually overcome these enormous challenges.

Rating:
Summary: Robin Williams' best dramatic film!
Review: A bearded Robin Williams co-stars with Robert DeNiro in this film based on a true story. Dr. Malcolm Sayer(Williams) applies for a position in the neurology lab in a new hospital. The patients are mentally disabled,one of them being Leonard Lowe(DeNiro). Leonard,until he receives his medication,is not very mobile and talkative. When he receives the medication,he acts and talks like any healthy human being. He meets a pretty girl(Penelope Ann Miller) at the hospital and takes romantic interest in her. His elderly mother(Ruth Nelson) was shockingly surprised about this. "He's never talked about girls or had anything to do with them.",she says. Leonard,in another scene,after taking the medication,takes the liberty of going for a walk. He is about to exit the hospital when two security guards forcefully stop him from exiting. Leonard's healthy phase doesn't last long. After the medication wears off,he's back to being almost immobile and silent. Other memorable scenes include Malcolm and Leonard wading in the open seas and eating ice cream on cones while sitting on a bench. Leonard's mother thought her son had Parkinson's disease. Malcolm told her Leonard's symptoms were similar to Parkinson's. One of the hospital nurses told Malcolm in another scene,"Dr. Sayer,it's a f---ing miracle!". The mentally ill patients were all healthy. They're even at a nightclub dancing. Another one of the ill patients is played by Anne Meara,Ben Stiller's mother. This film is based on the book by a real doctor named Oliver Sacks. Penny Marshall,late of TV's Laverne & Shirley directed this fantastic film. Marshall previously directed BIG starring Tom Hanks. By the way,this film was set in 1969. We hear The Zombies' hit TIME OF THE SEASON in one scene. Julie Kavner of TV's The Simpsons and late of Rhoda,plays Eleanor,one of the hospital nurses. Those who saw this film also saw many other films starring Williams and DeNiro,although this is the only one to date that they did together.

Rating:
Summary: An touching lovely drama.
Review: A Doctor (Robin Williams) believes people are in Catatonic are alive inside. The Doctor using an Experimental Drug on his Catatonic Patiens. He has successed with his First Recipient (Two Time Oscar-Winner:Robert De Niro) of this Medication.

Directed by Penny Marshall (Riding in Cars with Boys) made a terrific drama, which is Based on a True Story. Wonderful Performances by De Niro and Williams. Great Supporting Cast including:Julie Kavner, Ruth Nelson, John Heard, Penelope Ann Miller and Max Von Sydow. A touching, moving, unforgettable film. Grade:A.

Rating:
Summary: It will bring you out of the darkness!
Review: After viewing this film over fifty times since its release I would say this film is my absolute favorite. It belongs at the top of my list. From the first moment of the movie, you understand that you are in for the emotional roller-coaster ride of your life! Robert de Niro and Robin williams, are so passionate and give their absolute greatest performances. By some standards this film would be considered slow if you solely like all the other films I have reviewed (Click my name). But to say that is a slander to the film, the writer Oliver Sacks (The book) , Penny Marshall the Director, and all others involved. It will give you a more wholesome outlook on life and appreciate what you have. Some things are down-right halarious, while other moments make you think (And believe me the moving Film-Score will make you think!) Don't get me wrong, some of you will not like this movie, because it takes a certain taste to like it...But for the chosen-few who will give this film a shot and go with it, you will be blessed beyond measure. "Its just the simple things...You have to be reminded...The meaning of Life...The Wonder of life...The Freedom of life...!"

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant but sad movie
Review: Awakening is a true story directed by Penny Marshall. It is a movie about people without hope, suffering from encephalitis. The movie starts and ends in Bronx, New York in 1969. Robin William plays the challenging role of a doctor who is expected to look after the affected patients, without an aim of making them get better. Against the will of his superiors, he tries a medicine originally meant for patients suffering with Parkinson's disease on one of his patients Leonard (Robert de Niro). After achieving an unexpected success on Leonard, he tries the same medicines on all the patients. There was a miracle as it worked out on everyone, and they start living a normal life, but after some time it starts showing its side effects on Leonard. This part in the movie was really very depressing, because it again took him back to that pitiable state, same as earlier, but the saddest part was that all other patients knew that they all will face the same situation after some time and the same thing happened to them.
This movie was great but at the same time very depressing. Robin Williams and Robert de Niro play very impressive roles. One should definitely see this amazing movie.


Rating:
Summary: Williams and DeNiro shine!
Review: Based on the real life story of Dr. Oliver Sacks, 'Awakenings' ranks as one of the best movies I've seen. If features a terrific screenplay that was adapted from the book and a memorable directing job by Penny Marshall. But the most suprising thing to me was the choice of actors to play the two main roles in the movie. Robin Williams was pretty much known as the slightly insane comic genius from the 1980's, and Robert DeNiro was playing such hard-hitting, aggressive characters in films like 'Raging Bull', 'The Untouchables', 'Taxi Driver', and 'The Deer Hunter'. Both actors turn in career performances, and play parts that totally will smash any preconceived notions you had of them up to that point.

The film is based on Dr. Leo Sayer(Williams) and his work with people who have come down with a mysterious sleeping-sickness in 1918, which has left them in a catatonic state. Dr. Sayer is a shy person who is not comfortable conversing with others, but is also a very dedicated neurologist. He starts to work with these "sleeping" people and thinks that he senses something in them that is alive deep inside. He begins to work with a man called Leonard Lowe(DeNiro), and takes a special interest in him. He reads up on the drug L-Dopa, which had helped people in similiar states as his patients, and tries to convince the hospital and Leonard's mother to try the drug on her son. They allow the test to happen, and Leonard wakes up from his "sleep". The drug is then tried on his other patients with similar results. You would think that it was a happy story from thereafter, but life is not full of Hollywood endings, and the story does not take the easy way out. It won't leave you depressed or exhilarated but somewhere in between, like life is most of the time.

Definitely one of the best films to come out in the past 12 years, and should be in any serious movie buff's collection. There are no extra's on the DVD, but the quality of the picture is pretty good. But in the end, isn't it about the movie, not the extra's(by the way, I love the extra's just as much as everyone else). Marshall, Williams, and DeNiro have made a special film that they should be proud of and will be watched by generations to come.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Film
Review: Certainly worth seeing. This film is extremely moving, but never crosses the line into corny or sappy--a rare combination. Fine acting throughout, a compelling storyline, and genuinely haunting, not trite. Do not let this movie's status as a tear-jerker deter you from an otherwise excellent movie with a wonderful cast.