Rent Awakenings (1990)
3.8 of 5 from 128 ratings
1h 56min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- 1969: Dr Malcolm Sayer (Robin Williams) takes up a post at Bainbridge Hospital, New York. Among his patients, he discovers a group of forgotten survivors of the 1916 Sleeping Sickness epidemic - a virus that turned its victims into living statues. He is particularly drawn to one of these victims, Leonard Lowe (Robert de Niro). With a new experimental drug, Dr Sayer discovers a vital key to awakening in himself long dormant capacities for love and friendship. Inspirational and critically acclaimed "Awakenings" is based on a true and haunting story.
- Actors:
- Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, Julie Kavner, Ruth Nelson, John Heard, Penelope Ann Miller, Alice Drummond, Judith Malina, BArton Heyman, George Martin, Anne Meara, Richard Libertini, Laura Esterman, Dexter Gordon, Jayne Haynes, Le Clanché du Rand, Yusef Bulos, Steven Randazzo, Gloria Harper, Gwyllum Evans
- Directors:
- Penny Marshall
- Writers:
- Oliver Sacks, Steven Zaillian
- Studio:
- Columbia Tristar
- Genres:
- Drama
- Collections:
- Award Winners, Getting to Know..., Oscar Nominations Competition 2024, Oscar Nominations Competition 2025, Remembering: Max von Sydow, The Instant Expert's Guide, The Instant Expert's Guide: to Tim Burton, Top 10 Films By Year, Top Films of 1990: Vol. 2
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Reviews (2) of Awakenings
Interesting but maybe a bit dated - Awakenings review by TH
First off this was a film that I have been meaning to watch for a while.
Pros
-Acting was great from both Robin and Robert. Also great supporting cast
- interesting and fairly sad look at the lives of those who suffered this disease.
The only negative was it was watchable but I dont think it was one that stood out. Good film but not sure it was a classic for me.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Mismatch of Style and Story. - Awakenings review by griggs
Williams and De Niro (method dialled to max) are brilliant, but Awakenings feels oddly lightweight for its heavy subject. Penny Marshall’s trademark soft-touch direction—charming in the ’80s—feels out of place here the performances from the two leads the only thing that stops it becoming a Hallmark melodrama. It’s watchable, sure, but a bit too fluffy for modern sensibilities. A curious mismatch of style and story.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.