Awakenings

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2:44

Awakenings

PG-13

Released Dec 20, 1990

2h 1m

Drama

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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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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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Stanley Kauffmann

The New Republic

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.

Aug 15, 2014

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B

Sep 7, 2011

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Nonfunny Robin Williams role in moving story.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 22, 2010

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Noah Berlatsky

Splice Today

If Awakenings is a cure for Hollywood’s sexism, then it is, unfortunately, a cure which was painfully limited.

Apr 22, 2024

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Terry Francis

Southern Voice (Atlanta)

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.

Rated: 2/4

May 9, 2023

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Awakenings suffers from false optimism and, in the end, is inconsolably sad. [Full review in Spanish]

Jan 20, 2023

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Larry K

Great movie. Sad ending. Robin and Deniro are fantastic!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/16/25

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Jay W

1990 was a big year for DeNiro. He was in two of the five Best Picture Nominees of that year, the other one being 'Goodfellas'. Above everything else, this movie is a showcase for acting. De Niro's character, Leonard Lowe, has to go through a lot in the movie both physically and emotionally. Likewise, Robin Williams is playing a very layered and complex character. The story really makes you appreciate the little things in life and motivates you to try to live every day to the fullest. It also teaches that just because some people can't communicate their emotions; does not mean they don't have them. Overall, it is a little sappy, but it’s pretty good.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/05/25

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Tim M

As emotionally stirring for the viewer as the characters, Awakenings finds Robert De Niro giving another nuanced and meticulous turn.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/01/25

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21 - Priyan B

A heartwarming drama. Rating: 7.9/10

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/06/25

Full Review

Todd B

Robbie and Robin are on a quest for what's the cure for what ills the mind. In this drama that has captivated movie-goers, both young and old. What's your target audience? Thanks!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/15/25

Full Review

Belle P

The acting is amazing. I can't believe this is based on a true story. The ending was extremely sad, but a great movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/01/25

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Penny Marshall

Director

Robert De Niro

Leonard Lowe

Robin Williams

Dr. Malcolm Sayer

Julie Kavner

Eleanor Costello

Ruth Nelson

Mrs. Lowe

John Heard

Dr. Kaufman

Awakenings: Official Clip - The Drug Isn't Working

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Awakenings: Official Clip - The Will of the Ball

2:18

Awakenings: Official Clip - Remind Them How Good It Is

1:47

Awakenings: Official Clip - The Simplest Things

3:22

Awakenings: Official Clip - I Won't See You Anymore

2:29

Awakenings: Official Clip - You Woke A Person

2:14

Awakenings: Official Clip - The Strangest Dream

2:09

Awakenings: Official Clip - We're Talking About Money

1:29

Awakenings: Official Clip - You're Awake

2:29

Awakenings: Official Clip - Don't Give Up on Me

2:02

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Awakenings: Trailer 1

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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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