Rating: 
Summary: It'll Open Your Eyes
Review: I've seen many films similar to "Awakenings". Underdog doctor discovers special patients, learns to communicate with and help them, fights evil system, triumphs, declared hero. Yet I have found no film of that nature to rival "Awakenings", and not only because the good doctor's triumph doesn't last. The beauty of "Awakenings" is that it never becomes precious or schmaltzy; it succeeds, as films rarely do, in truly getting behind the eyes of the characters, in asking questions about life and humanity without being pretentious. "Awakenings" is real, it is beautiful. It documents the human spirit and gives the viewer much more than eye candy or Saturday night entertainment. Credit is due to Robert de Niro and Robin Williams, who turn in astounding performances, as well as to director Penny Marshall and screenwriter Steven Zaillian. Julie Kavner ("The Simpsons") and Penelope Ann Miller also contribute sympathetic performances. A multi-Oscar nominee, "Awakenings" is one of the best films of the '90s.
Rating:
Summary: It'll Open Your Eyes
Review: I've seen many films similar to "Awakenings". Underdog doctor discovers special patients, learns to communicate with and help them, fights evil system, triumphs, declared hero. Yet I have found no film of that nature to rival "Awakenings", and not only because the good doctor's triumph doesn't last. The beauty of "Awakenings" is that it never becomes precious or schmaltzy; it succeeds, as films rarely do, in truly getting behind the eyes of the characters, in asking questions about life and humanity without being pretentious. "Awakenings" is real, it is beautiful. It documents the human spirit and gives the viewer much more than eye candy or Saturday night entertainment. Credit is due to Robert de Niro and Robin Williams, who turn in astounding performances, as well as to director Penny Marshall and screenwriter Steven Zaillian. Julie Kavner ("The Simpsons") and Penelope Ann Miller also contribute sympathetic performances. A multi-Oscar nominee, "Awakenings" is one of the best films of the '90s.
Rating:
Summary: Awe Inspiring
Review: It's hard to review a film that is so wonderful. You never had a reason to stop this film. There was never a dull moment. Though looking at an institution was very disturbing, meeting the people who live in one and the way they are treated was very interesting.
Rating:
Summary: Just awesome
Review: One of my favorite films.It is sensitive without getting maudlin.And most of all it showcases Robin Williams without his stereotypical funny man image and also De Niro without his "You talkin' to me " type machismo. Its a movie about the triumph of the human spirit told with a conviction that radiates from every frame.In short, very very watchable and that too many times.
Rating:
Summary: A true classic
Review: One of the finest movies ever made. Williams and DiNero at the top of their game
Rating:
Summary: A Preview of the Decade of the Brain - the 1990's
Review: Penny Marshall directed a fascinating movie when she brought to screen Oliver Sacks' book AWAKENINGS. It captures New York City beautifully during the early part of the century, and later in the 1960's. The story unfolds around the doctor based on Oliver Sacks. The patients represent a true 'awakening' that occurred in New York with the drug L-Dopa. This event has become so important in the history of medicine that a Nobel Prize winner, Dr. Arvid Carlsson, mentioned this event in his Nobel Lecture in the year 2000. Penny Marshall had a tremendous vision bringing this event to screen in 1990. It is an incredibly moving film.
Rating:
Summary: De Niro And Williams at there best!!
Review: Robert De Niro and Robin Williams both did a great job in this movie. Robin Williams plays the role of a doctor, a very shy doctor at that! De Niro plays a patient with sleeping sickness who hasnt said a word or done anything on his own is 30 years.Robin Williams dedicates his time to finding a cure or at least something to help these patients like somewhat of a normal life. I dont want to ruin the movie for those who havent seen it some Im gonna stop there. But Robert De Niro does an excellent job with his role in this movie. He his famous for his roles in The Godfather Part II, Taxi Driver, The Deer Hunter, Heat, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, The Untouchables, and Casino. In all of these movies he plays either a gangster or a bad@$$ of some sort. So seeing this movie really shows the acting ability that he has. I dont usually watch movies like this but I had De Niro in it so I had to watch it. And coming from someone who loves Gangster Movies; this is one of Robert De Niro's best performances and I recommend this movie to everyone, this is a must see!!!
Rating:
Summary: De Niro And Williams at there best!!
Review: Robert De Niro and Robin Williams both did a great job in this movie. Robin Williams plays the role of a doctor, a very shy doctor at that! De Niro plays a patient with sleeping sickness who hasnt said a word or done anything on his own is 30 years. Robin Williams dedicates his time to finding a cure or at least something to help these patients like somewhat of a normal life. I dont want to ruin the movie for those who havent seen it some Im gonna stop there. But Robert De Niro does an excellent job with his role in this movie. He his famous for his roles in The Godfather Part II, Taxi Driver, The Deer Hunter, Heat, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, The Untouchables, and Casino. In all of these movies he plays either a gangster or a bad@$$ of some sort. So seeing this movie really shows the acting ability that he has. I dont usually watch movies like this but I had De Niro in it so I had to watch it. And coming from someone who loves Gangster Movies; this is one of Robert De Niro's best performances and I recommend this movie to everyone, this is a must see!!!
Rating:
Summary: Williams & DeNiro are Great!
Review: Robert DeNiro in a totally different role as a boy who awakens from a coma, after many years, as a man! Williams as the doctor who tries desperately to revive other patients like DeNiro and then act as a father and mentor to each. Then later Williams tries everything humanly possible to keep his patients from relapsing to their former coma state. The scene where DeNiro wakes up for the first time and puts his arms out with a big smile is one of my favorite movie scenes of all-time. This was probably Robin Williams best role ever!
Rating:
Summary: Williams & DeNiro are Great!
Review: Robert DeNiro in a totally different role as a boy who awakens from a coma, after many years, as a man! Williams as the doctor who tries desperately to revive other patients like DeNiro and then act as a father and mentor to each. Then later Williams tries everything humanly possible to keep his patients from relapsing to their former coma state. The scene where DeNiro wakes up for the first time and puts his arms out with a big smile is one of my favorite movie scenes of all-time. This was probably Robin Williams best role ever!
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