Awakenings

Starring: Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, Julie Kavner, et al.

Product Description

A doctor tries the drug L-dopa on an immobile man and others like him in 1969 New York. Directed by Penny Marshall.

• Format: DVD
• Language: English
• UPC: 043396505698
• Release Date: October 1998
• Rating: PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
• Publisher: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
• Director: Penny Marshall
• Starring: Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, Julie Kavner, Ruth Nelson, John Heard, Penelope Ann Miller, Alice Drummond
• Runtime: 2 hours
• Number of Disks: 1
• Other Video Info: multiple_formats
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.4" x 7.5"

Customer Reviews

One of my favorite movies

This is one of my favorite movies. Robert De Niro and Robin Williams did an amazing job. I love the two of them working together in this movie.I also read the book which was fascinating.I have read all of Oliver Sacks books and I loved every single one of them.

There is no such thing as a simple miracle.

This is based on a true story by writers Oliver Sacks(book) and Steven Zaillian(screenplay). However, the story is not as important as the actors. In 1969, Dr. Malcolm Sayer (Robin Williams) is a research doctor and not a “people doctor.” Due to a shortage of doctors, he is lured into a clinic for terminally ill (semi-catatonic state) people due to a disease called encephalitis lethargica. While working there, instead of just being a caretaker, he applies his skills to try and solve the problem and cure the patients. This is the story of what he tried and its results. The main target of his trial is Leonard Lowe (Robert De Niro). He does an excellent performance throughout the movie. As you scan the rest of the patients, you may recognize Many popular actors, and it is fun to keep score. A visitor, Paula (Penelope Ann Miller, who plays Tina Sabatini in “The Freshman” 1990) adds a sort of love interest. The only drawback in the presentation is the gawd-awful background music.