Plot Details: This opinion reveals everything about the movie's plot.

My husband has this imaginary list of quintessential (at least in his mind) movies that he wants me to see. Usually they are very odd, or strange (or bad) and I am getting to fear the phrase "you've got to see this movie it is a defining piece of film, which usually translates to I love this film, but it is actually very bad. But every once and a while, I escape my fate and the film is actually very good, which was the case with Awakenings. This is a very well done and very moving movie. Be forewarned, it will make you cry.

Plot: Dr. Sayer, Robin Williams, lands a job as a doctor in a chronic hospital. That is a place where the patients never get better. As all new doctors do, he refuses to give up on his patients. By shifting through the files, he discovers that several of his catatonic patients survived encephalitis. He thinks that the encephalitis could be the cause of their catatonic state. He begins to discover that they will respond to certain things like music or catching things. He also discovers a new drug that might help his patients by stimulating a certain pathway in the brain. He tests the drug on one patient Leonard Lowe, Robert De Niro, who wakes up after having been in a catatonic state for 30 years. He then treats all his patients with the drug some of them have been "asleep" for 50 years. They dance and do all the things they have wanted to do while they were asleep. They begin to learn to live again. Then the drug starts not to work anymore, and Dr. Sayer tries desperately to save his patients from falling back asleep. Will he succeed? You will have to watch the film to find out.

There is nothing flashy about the cinematography. It is just a solidly done film. The plot is good as it loosely based on a true story. The dialogue is good and seems real, it is never corny, and given the nature of this film there are certainly moments when it could have been. What really makes this film are its characters and the actors that play them.

Robin Williams is always good and his role as Dr. Sayer is no exception. He is a kind, caring man who learns from his patients the value of life, friendship and the little things. He has such a great expressive face. I really love it when he does serious roles. He brings so much to a film. Robert De Niro is great as Leonard Lowe; you can see his struggle to stay awake and to stay alive after being asleep for 30 years. He is also once of those classic great actors. There are also several other faces I am sure you will recognize who play the patients. A favorite of mind is Alice Drummond who plays Lucy, Dr. Sayer's newest patient. She always plays such a sweet older lady. She also has one of my favorite lines,"I can't imagine being older than 22. I've no experience at it. I know it's not 1926. I just need it to be. ." The acting overall was great and made this film. Each patient was their own unique and great character.

This is a wonderful film, but it is sad so grab the tissue before it begins. You will love this film if you love drama or films based on true stories, or films that remind you that every life is a gift and we should cherish it.


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older