Awakenings Synopsis & Summary

Synopsis

Based on a true story as related by neurologist Oliver Sacks, Awakenings stars Robin Williams as the Sacks counterpart, here named Dr. Malcolm Sayer. Something of a klutz and naif, Dr. Sayer takes a job at a Bronx psychiatric hospital in 1969. Here he's put in charge of several seemingly catatonic patients who, under Sayer's painstaking guidance, begin responding to certain stimulati. Apprised of the efficacy of a new drug called L-DOPA in treating degenerative-disease victims, Sayer is given permission to test the drug on one of his patients: Leonard Lowe (Robert De Niro), who has not communicated with anyone since lapsing into catatonia as a child. Gradually, Lowe comes out of his shell, encouraging Sayers to administer L-DOPA to the other patients under his care. Julie Kavner and John Heard also star. - Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Movie Info

Starring:
Robin Williams, Robert De Niro, Julie Kavner, Ruth Nelson, John Heard
Theatrical Release Date:
12/20/1990
DVD Release Date:
09/10/1997
Run Time:
121 min.
Distributor(s):
Columbia Pictures
Production Co.:
Columbia Pictures
Director(s):
Penny Marshall
Genre(s):
Drama
Themes:
Doctors and Patients, Finding the Cure, Therapy
Tone:
Bittersweet, Lyrical, Earnest, Heartwarming, Sentimental, Tearjerking
Keywords:
catatonic, doctor, experiment, friendship, hospital, medical-treatment, patient [medical], research
Country of Origin:
USA (12-20-1990)
Language:
English
Status:
DVD

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