Awakenings (1990)

Director:

Penny Marshall

Writers (WGA):

Oliver Sacks (book)
Steven Zaillian (screenplay)

Release Date:

20 December 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

There is no such thing as a simple miracle.

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Influenza | Diaper Change | Catatonic | Catatonia | Coma

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Robert De Niro	...	Leonard Lowe
Robin Williams	...	Dr. Malcolm Sayer
Julie Kavner	...	Eleanor Costello
Ruth Nelson	...	Mrs. Lowe
John Heard	...	Dr. Kaufman
Penelope Ann Miller	...	Paula
Alice Drummond	...	Lucy
Judith Malina	...	Rose
Barton Heyman	...	Bert
George Martin	...	Frank
Anne Meara	...	Miriam
Richard Libertini	...	Sidney
Laura Esterman	...	Lolly
Dexter Gordon	...	Rolando
Jayne Haynes	...	Frances

Runtime:

121 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Australia:M | USA:PG-13 (certificate #30341) | South Korea:All | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:S | Iceland:L | Norway:11 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:11 | UK:12

Filming Locations:

Bronx, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Penny Marshall at first wanted Bill Murray to play Leonard Lowe, who was interested in the project, but she decided against it because she didn't want audiences expecting a comedy.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the scene in the parking lot just before Eleanor tells Dr. Sayer she believes his theory about the "will of the ball", Dr. Sayer is first shown from the passenger side of his Plymouth Valiant, which has no gear shift knob on the right side of the steering column. Valiant models in the '60s had what was known as "typewriter drive", where the driver changed gears by pressing buttons in a column on the dash to the left of the steering wheel. In the next shot, Sayer is shown from the driver's side and after he starts the car, he shifts gears with a knob on the right side of the steering column that wasn't there in the previous shot.

Quotes:

Leonard Lowe: Hello. My name is Leonard Lowe. It has been explained to me that I've been away for quite some time.I'm back.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Wogan: (1991-05-20)" (1991)

Soundtrack:

You Made Me Love You

A Fascinating and Moving Story

Awakenings is the most emotionally moving film I have ever seen. It delves deeply into one of the worst human fears, losing the ability to move and function, but it's never forced or manipulative, and there's no heavy-handed message or moral. It's just a fascinating story that's beautifully told.

The acting is as good as you will ever see. Robert DeNiro deftly handles all the emotional and physical challenges of his role, and Robin Williams demonstrates convincingly that he is an actor, not just a comedian. Williams is perhaps a bit too nerdy at first, but he captures perfectly all the hope, fear, exhilaration, and anguish that a doctor in that situation must be experiencing. Awakenings is based on actual people and events, and, to me at least, real events are always more powerful than even the best fiction.

Awakenings had big-name talent and Oscar nominations, but I don't think it ever had a big box office or became a popular video rental. That's a shame. I like escapist fare as much as the next guy, but once in a while, everyone should see a movie that you will remember and think about for a very long time. Awakenings deserves to be at the top of your list of movies to see.