Awakenings | Robert De Niro, Robin Williams

Awakenings | Robert De Niro, Robin Williams | A MOVIE OF EXCELLENCE

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Awakenings

	Awakenings Robert De Niro, Robin Williams Sony Pictures, 1994 average customer review:based on 73 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

START ME UP

(CAUTION: SPOILER INFO)
Just think if your life was stopped much like someone using a remote control "pause" button - only to have it started with a push of "play" for a short time and then crucially and finally returned back to the paused state. The movie Awakenings, based on the neurologist Oliver Sacks book, does just that. In it Williams as Dr Malcolm uncovers a drug called L-Dopa that can be used to "start" patients from their immobilized state of being. Only to have them return to their previous state after the drug loses its effectiveness. Regardless of the final outcome of these patients, ultimately, it is the journey of the doctors, patients and their families that makes this movie so special.
Especially the chemistry that forms between the Williams and DeNiro.

There is one scene that will never leave my mind. It is when Dr Malcolm completes the black-n-white checked pattern on the hospital floor for a patient he is attempting to help. Look for it when you watch it and you will see what I mean. It's special.

If you like dramas that make you think, (even if they don't always have a happy ending) then this is your type of movie
It's a buy

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A MOVIE OF EXCELLENCE

A moving masterpiece that shows that Miracles still exist. A
wonderful true story with giant stars (Robin Williams and Robert DeNiro) filling giant shoes. Both who deserved oscars for their powerful roles. Load up on the kleenex. I certainly could watch this film over and over again.

A true classic

One of the finest movies ever made. Williams and DiNero at the top of their game

An Uplifting Film about the Limits of Consciousness

_Awakenings_ is one of the better movies that I have seen recently. It is based on the real-life story (and book) of Oliver Sacks and his extraordinary work with "sleeping-sickness" patients in the 1960s. In a preview to his work in _Patch Adams_, Robin Williams turns in an outstanding performance as a doctor who refuses to write off the consciousness and humanity of his patients in the neurology ward to which he has recently been appointed. If that wasn't enough, Robert Deniro comes on the scene halfway through the film and delivers a stunning performance that yanks the rug out right out from underneath Williams. His performance is very moving and never fails to get to me.

While his Dr. Sayer's (Williams) techniques and experiments are, from a modern perspective, unethical and surprising, one never doubts his intentions and care for his patients. The movie really churns up debate over the "personhood" of human beings that are in a vegetable state. To whom do we grant consciousness? How can we tell? What are the limits of personality? Dr. Sayer's tireless work with these patients and brief success truly challenge many of our assumptions about medical patients and their rights. Fortunately, Hollywood did not screw this movie up and the film does not end in typical Pollyanna fashion. If you like emotional films, inspirational stories, or the acting of Robin Williams and Robert DeNiro, you cannot go wrong with this film.

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Brilliant but sad movie

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.

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