Film Snail

7.8

Awakenings

PG-13·1990·120m

Drama

Summary

Dr. Malcolm Sayer, a shy research physician, uses an experimental drug to "awaken" the catatonic victims of a rare disease. Leonard is the first patient to receive the controversial treatment. His awakening, filled with awe and enthusiasm, proves a rebirth for Sayer too, as the exuberant patient reveals life's simple but unutterably sweet pleasures to the introverted doctor.

Cast

Robert De Niro

Leonard Lowe

Robin Williams

Malcolm Sayer

John Heard

Dr. Kaufman

Julie Kavner

Eleanor Costello

Penelope Ann Miller

Paula

Ruth Nelson

Mrs. Lowe

Max von Sydow

Peter Ingham

Anne Meara

Miriam

Dexter Gordon

Rolando

George Martin

Frank

Alice Drummond

Lucy Fishman

Richard Libertini

Sidney

Laura Esterman

Lolly

Barton Heyman

Bert

Judith Malina

Rose

Mary Alice

Nurse Margaret

Keith Diamond

Anthony

Bradley Whitford

Dr. Tyler

John Christopher Jones

Dr. Sullivan

Mary Catherine Wright

Nurse Beth

Jayne Haynes

Frances

Le Clanché du Rand

Magda

Yusef Bulos

Joseph

Steven Randazzo

Luis

Gloria Harper

Dottie

Gwyllum Evans

Desmond

Steve Vinovich

Ray

Tiger Haynes

Janitor

Harvey Miller

Hospital Director

Tanya Berezin

Psychiatrist

Peter Stormare

Neurochemist

Shane Fistell

Man in Hall

Waheedah Ahmad

Hysterical Woman

Charles Keating

Mr. Kean

Christina Huertes

Christina

Linda Burns

Fishsticks

Judy Jacksina

Hospital Receptionist

Gary Tacon

George

Rico Elias

Orderly #1

Mel Gorham

Nurse Sara

Chris Carolan

EEG Technician

Debra Kovner-Zaks

Cafeteria Nurse

Max Rabinowitz

Ward #5 Orderly

Gordon Joseph Weiss

Ward #5 Patient

Byron Utley

Ward #5 Patient #2

Anthony McGowen

Ward #5 Patient #3

Paul Montgomery

Ward #5 Patient #4

Leonard Tepper

Ward #5 Patient #5

Vincent Pastore

Ward #5 Patient #6

Howard Feller

Ward #5 Patient #7

Libby Titus

Club Singer

Michael Hyde

Bus Driver

Tomislav Novakovic

Bartender

Adam Bryant

Librarian

Anthony J. Nici

Young Leonard

Oliver Block

Leonard's Friend #1

Buck Smith

Leonard's Friend #2

Joan E. MacIntosh

Teacher

Harry L. Seddon

Medical Student

Jack Mulcahy

Psych Ward Intern

Jason W. Fuchs

Pot-Head Hippie

Vin Diesel

Hospital Orderly (uncredited)

Crew

Director

Penny Marshall

Book

Oliver Sacks

Screenplay

Steven Zaillian

Reviews

Wuchak

January 1, 2020

***A ‘hospital film’ with Robin Williams and Robert De Niro, based on a true story***

A shy doctor (Robin Williams) gets a job at a Bronx hospital in 1969 where he attends to several patients in a catatonic state after the encephalitis epidemic of 1917–28. He experiments with a new drug that offers the hope of reviving them. Robert De Niro plays his key patient, Julie Kavner his nurse and John Heard his supervisor. Penelope Ann Miller is also on hand as a potential romantic interest.

"Awakenings” (1990) is based on Oliver Sacks' 1973 memoir of the same name, which chronicled the true event that occurred the summer of ’69. Being a hospital movie about ailing people trying to recover puts it in the same camp as “One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest” (1975) and “Instinct” (1999), but it’s not as compelling.

There’s just not enough human interest beyond the viewer being sympathetic toward the patients’ plight and wanting them to get well. It’s also marred by some blatant predictableness, like Leonard’s name on the bench and the “cup of coffee” aspect. Still, this is a tale that needed to be told and I’m not sorry I watched it. It’s just overrated.

The film runs 2 hours and was shot in Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens, New York City.

GRADE: C+