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Amazon.co.uk Review
Based on the acclaimed book by neurologist Oliver Sacks, director Penny Marshall's hit 1990 drama Awakenings stars Robin Williams as Dr. Malcolm Sayer. Sayer is a neurologist who discovers that the drug L-Dopa can be used to "unlock" patients in a mental hospital from the mysterious sleeping sickness that has left them utterly immobilized. Leonard (Robert De Niro) is one such patient who awakens after being in a comatose state for 30 years, leaving Sayer to guide Leonard in adjusting to the world around him. Penelope Ann Miller costars as the daughter of another patient, with whom Leonard falls tenuously in love. Earning Oscar nominations for best picture, actor and screenplay, this moving fact-based drama was a hit with critics and audiences alike. --Jeff Shannon
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Awakenings is a little masterpiece of a film, that I discovered late one night while channel surfing. I was immediately taken back by the depth of the film and purchased the DVD for a very low price on Amazon the following day.
The film stars Robert De Niro and Robin Williams and is based on a non-fictional book written by neurologist Oliver Sacks. Awakenings follows Dr Malcolm Sayer who takes up a post at a hospital in New York. The Doctor played perfectly by Robin Williams, discovers some of his patients - who survived the 1916 sleeping sickness epidemic can be helped to awaken from their existence as living statues (Encephalitis) through the use of an experimental drug known as L-Dopa. One patient called Leonard (De Niro) is awoken after being in a coma like state for thirty years. Leonard is transformed into a normal man and even falls in love. Encourage by this Dr Sayer sets about 'awakening' the other patients.
I found the film to be moving and powerful with the ability to make you question how you value the life of others. Awakenings is absorbing and very involving, and you can't help become gripped by the emotion and strength of the story. The acting throughout really is fantastic. Both Robin Williams and Robert De Niro are at their best and offer inspiring and tear jerking performances. Standards from other cast members is also note worthy. Especially the interaction between Leonard and his mother, which is realistic and powerful. The setting of the hospital itself was perfect and seems right.
Beautiful and completely engrossing offering a great and moving ending, it's hard to find anything to fault with Awakenings (other than the lack of special features on the DVD). So if you haven't seen this film I strongly suggest that you purchase it...soon.
The film stars Robert De Niro and Robin Williams and is based on a non-fictional book written by neurologist Oliver Sacks. Awakenings follows Dr Malcolm Sayer who takes up a post at a hospital in New York. The Doctor played perfectly by Robin Williams, discovers some of his patients - who survived the 1916 sleeping sickness epidemic can be helped to awaken from their existence as living statues (Encephalitis) through the use of an experimental drug known as L-Dopa. One patient called Leonard (De Niro) is awoken after being in a coma like state for thirty years. Leonard is transformed into a normal man and even falls in love. Encourage by this Dr Sayer sets about 'awakening' the other patients.
I found the film to be moving and powerful with the ability to make you question how you value the life of others. Awakenings is absorbing and very involving, and you can't help become gripped by the emotion and strength of the story. The acting throughout really is fantastic. Both Robin Williams and Robert De Niro are at their best and offer inspiring and tear jerking performances. Standards from other cast members is also note worthy. Especially the interaction between Leonard and his mother, which is realistic and powerful. The setting of the hospital itself was perfect and seems right.
Beautiful and completely engrossing offering a great and moving ending, it's hard to find anything to fault with Awakenings (other than the lack of special features on the DVD). So if you haven't seen this film I strongly suggest that you purchase it...soon.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Robin Williams and Robert DeNiro yet again demonstrate why they are at the top of their profession. This moving, sometimes harrowing, but ever engrossing movie contains some of DeNiro's most sublte and moving work, with Williams complementing him to an equally high standard.
It offers some very poignant reminders about what life is and how even the little little things shouldn't be taken for granted.
It offers some very poignant reminders about what life is and how even the little little things shouldn't be taken for granted.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film is absolutely awesome and tells the story of how the human spirit will always survive. If you are ever feeling a little low about your profession, this will definetely give you another spark to your endeavors and how important it is to be brave with ideas about patient care. In addition it reminds physicians to treat patients as humans for in the end that is what we all are.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Fantastic DVD and amazing acting
Once of the best movies I have ever seen, due purely to the real-life story and the exquisite acting by both de Niro and Williams. Read more
Published 12 days ago by M. Drew
Belief & Hope
Here is a movie of belief and hope that will lift your spirits no matter what you have experienced in life. I was in tears as i watched how unfair life can be. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Lord Anon
fav film
one of my all time fav films.... brilliant story, very moving, great acting. So good I have just replaced my old video for a DVD
Published 6 months ago by Lesley Hayes
You'd think at a certain point all these atypical somethings would...
The late 60s and post encephalitis patients are roused by various doses of the drug L-Dopa. But as the patients try to come to terms with the new and alien life they are brought... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Spike Owen
this is the point where robin williams started to get really good
I watched "awakenings" because I am trying to watch all of the films that Robin Williams has been in, to be honest I only do this because I am somewhat obsessed with completing... Read more
Published 9 months ago by bizmandan
A very affecting true story
It's 1969 and Dr. Malcolm Sayer (Robin Williams) takes up a position in a New York hospital where he encounters survivors of the Sleeping Sickness epidemic that occurred decades... Read more
Published 20 months ago by kango
Awakenings DVD
Another great film of the fragility of the human mind sensitively portrayed by Robin Williams
Published 20 months ago by Mr. M. D. Redmond
Superb telling of a true story
Not usually a Robin Williams fan but even he outdid himself in acting ability in what is a very moving story taken from true facts. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Lovedogs
Possibly the most moving fim I have ever seen
Brilliant performances from both Robin Williams and Ribert De Niro ensure that you go every step of the way with them. Read more
Published on 2 April 2010 by Catford
Awakenings- Flu epidemic influenza.
A brilliant heartwarming film, based on the work of a doctor, and the side effects of a flu pandemic. As this is a true story it is all the more realistic. Read more
Published on 31 July 2009 by Meg shaw
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