jessy zaki "What we do know is that, as the chemical window closed, another awakening took place; that the human spirit is more powerful than any drug - and that is what needs to be nourished: with work, play, friendship, family. THESE are the things that matter. This is what we'd forgotten - the simplest things" Finally, I had the chance to watch Awakenings. My brother recommended it for me years ago, and since he is not into movies, so once he is captured by a movie, I know it's a good one. Apart from my brother, I found Awakenings is very beautiful and heartwarming. It has also some light scenes. They are not many, but sufficient for a movie that deals with catatonic conditions. Everyone here is perfect playing his role, and I mean everyone, from the two leads to the secondary roles. For Robert De Niro, he is excellent through the entire movie especially through the scenes where he acts as if he can't control his muscles. I think these scenes are difficult enough for any actor to make, but he brilliantly executed them. But frankly, I loved Robin Williams as Dr. Sayer or Dr. Oliver Sacks, the true neurologist whose book is that the movie is based on more. Here he is nerd, earnest, hopeful.Finally, despite being nominated for three Oscar awards, I think it's underrated, at least among the audience. And don't forget to bring some tissues.

adonis98-743-186503 The victims of an encephalitis epidemic many years ago have been catatonic ever since, but now a new drug offers the prospect of reviving them. Awakenings benefits from the excellent work from both Robert De Niro and the late Robin Williams but also a story that is very dramatic and optimistic at the same time. The direction was superb and De Niro's perfomance was just fascinating, Penelope Ann Miller most known for her work in films like Kindergarten Cop, The Messengers and Carlito's Way also does a very good job. I think alot of people will appreciate what this film was going for and will definitely feel sorry and inspired from it's main characters. (10/10)

jackburman98 With Robert De Nero and the late great Robin Williams the lead stars of this film I knew that I would not be disappointed and that I was not. Throughout the whole film Williams leads the idea of "not having a life", and it takes the awakening of De Nero's character to help him realise this. After the introduction of De Nero and Williams on screen at the same time the real enjoyment comes from this film, their chemistry as characters seemed real which emphasised all emotion intended from this film. Overall, great film and would recommend to anyone.

artisticarista This is an A+ film. I had extremely high expectations for it because of the two main men: Robin Williams and Robert De Niro. They definitely did not disappoint! I am often a fan of movies based on either a book or on a true story; I was in for a treat because this one is both! The film is medically accurate and intriguing without overdramatizing the real-life events. Robin Williams greatly portrays the shy, (clearly) genius, Dr. Sayer. And Robert De Niro does an amazing job of playing a catatonic patient, which I imagine would be amazingly difficult.I enjoyed how the film shows the audience how the medical field operated during the time period. Currently, in most hospitals, most doctors are unceasingly looking for the answers - the whys and the hows. They will not stop until they know why a patient reacts this way or how a patient ended up this way. In 1969... it was completely different and I appreciate that the film showed how different the world was without making it seem like doctors were barbaric and soulless creatures.