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Awakenings

Play trailer 2:44 Poster for Awakenings PG-13 1990 2h 1m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
81% Tomatometer 37 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
The story of a doctor's extraordinary work in the Sixties with a group of catatonic patients he finds languishing in a Bronx hospital. Speculating that their rigidity may be akin to an extreme form of Parkinsonism, he seeks permission from his skeptical superiors to treat them with L-dopa, a drug that was used to treat Parkinson's disease at the time.
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Awakenings

Awakenings

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Critics Consensus

Elevated by some of Robin Williams' finest non-comedic work and a strong performance from Robert De Niro, Awakenings skirts the edges of melodrama, then soars above it.

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Critics Reviews

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Stanley Kauffmann The New Republic 08/15/2014
Williams gives his best "straight" performance, shorn of all his marvelous manic vaudeville. The man he plays here is not a performer, which he was even in Dead Poets Society, but simply a man. Go to Full Review
Nell Minow Common Sense Media 12/22/2010
4/5
Nonfunny Robin Williams role in moving story. Go to Full Review
Jeff Beck The Blu Spot Dec 16
4/5
Awakenings may not hold much in the way of surprises over the course of its narrative arc, but it remains a richly emotional true-life tale that pulls you in with its captivating story & the marvelous performances from co-leads Williams & De Niro. Go to Full Review
Noah Berlatsky Splice Today 04/22/2024
If Awakenings is a cure for Hollywood’s sexism, then it is, unfortunately, a cure which was painfully limited. Go to Full Review
Terry Francis Southern Voice (Atlanta) 05/09/2023
2/4
Though the film is directed with elegant reticence by the gifted Penny Marshall, it's diminished somewhat by Zaillian's tissue-thin adaptation which relies heavily on formulaic comedy, on cliches of character and plot. Go to Full Review
Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) 01/20/2023
Awakenings suffers from false optimism and, in the end, is inconsolably sad. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Peter V 11h Though the first half of the film plays overly dramatically and self-consciously, as if director Penny Marshall is a herald for the 'human rights of these human beings,' which does them an injustice by treating them sentimentally--the phrase 'human beings' is overused at the beginning, with obvious connotations and intentions-- the film is still well-meaning and substantial, making the audience aware of the loss. In the final half, Leonard is brought more into focus, showing how he deals with neurological deterioration as the drugs wear thin. Robert De Niro is breathtaking as Leonard, and with Robin Williams, have convincing doctor-patient chemistry. They are supported by Julie Kavner as a conscientious nurse, Penelope Anne Miller as a visitor to the hospital who cares about Leonard, and Ruth Nelson as Leonard's protective mom. These actors deliver outstanding supporting performances. Overall, the film is an imperfect but a moving and humane drama about things that matter in life. See more Stefano C @ilChurch 3d Crazy performance by De Niro. Very touching. See more Angelina S @pittsyruns325 Nov 11 Bring the Kleenex, but fantastic acting and fantastic film! See more Mr. S Sep 13 Awakenings (1990) shows the beauty of optimism and the strength of the human spirit, while also confronting us with the sad reality that not every story ends happily. See more Gareth v @geewah Aug 11 An inspiring, heartfelt drama that celebrates human resilience and connection. See more Kristin M. @kristinmesserli Aug 3 Explores the relationship between being alive and living. So much crying and laughing. Loved this movie so much. See more Read all reviews
Awakenings

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Awakenings

Awakenings: Official Clip - The Drug Isn't Working Awakenings: Official Clip - The Drug Isn't Working 2:37 Awakenings: Official Clip - The Will of the Ball Awakenings: Official Clip - The Will of the Ball 2:18 Awakenings: Official Clip - Remind Them How Good It Is Awakenings: Official Clip - Remind Them How Good It Is 1:47 Awakenings: Official Clip - The Simplest Things Awakenings: Official Clip - The Simplest Things 3:22 Awakenings: Official Clip - I Won't See You Anymore Awakenings: Official Clip - I Won't See You Anymore 2:29 Awakenings: Official Clip - You Woke A Person Awakenings: Official Clip - You Woke A Person 2:14 Awakenings: Official Clip - The Strangest Dream Awakenings: Official Clip - The Strangest Dream 2:09 Awakenings: Official Clip - We're Talking About Money Awakenings: Official Clip - We're Talking About Money 1:29 Awakenings: Official Clip - You're Awake Awakenings: Official Clip - You're Awake 2:29 Awakenings: Official Clip - Don't Give Up on Me Awakenings: Official Clip - Don't Give Up on Me 2:02 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis The story of a doctor's extraordinary work in the Sixties with a group of catatonic patients he finds languishing in a Bronx hospital. Speculating that their rigidity may be akin to an extreme form of Parkinsonism, he seeks permission from his skeptical superiors to treat them with L-dopa, a drug that was used to treat Parkinson's disease at the time.
Director
Penny Marshall
Producer
Walter F. Parkes, Lawrence Lasker
Screenwriter
Steven Zaillian
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 20, 1990, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 15, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$49.4M
Runtime
2h 1m
Sound Mix
Surround
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