Odelecol
Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.
Mehdi Hoffman
There's a more than satisfactory amount of boom-boom in the movie's trim running time.
Jemima
It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.
TheSheykhi
had a great Idea and had aptitude to be a great movie but disaster screenplay and directing waste it! The characters were not well-developed at all. it made Inner desire to know the character's past but didn't give us any information. Their illness cured very fast and they got healthy and adapt themselves with conditions even faster! it took a few days for Leonard to be healthy(which is shorter than usual also) but for other patients, just a few hours! worse that script? it's directing. I had seen movie "big" by Penny Marshal before and I liked it so much but in this case, she sucked. the film is quite scattered and full of confusion. instead of concentrating on one or two topic, it wants to include several big topic which it isn't easily achievable. I think Marshall should focus on that part of the screenplay that was stronger and leave the weak part. I didn't like De Niro's. in fact he played healthy Leonard part well, but the ill Leonard, Disaster! although Williams was fairly good. Perhaps the script did not allow them to show more than that and director did not provide the base for them. I'm sure you know that a few years later, in the movie "Good Will Hunting" by Gus Van Sant, Robin Williams played a similar character and played it Fantastic.Now, you know what's funny? The film has three Oscars nominations for Best Film, Best Screenplay and Best Actor for De Niro!!
jackburman98
With Robert De Nero and the late great Robin Williams the lead stars of this film I knew that I would not be disappointed and that I was not. Throughout the whole film Williams leads the idea of "not having a life", and it takes the awakening of De Nero's character to help him realise this. After the introduction of De Nero and Williams on screen at the same time the real enjoyment comes from this film, their chemistry as characters seemed real which emphasised all emotion intended from this film. Overall, great film and would recommend to anyone.
851222
Greetings from Lithuania."Awakenings" (1990) is very moving, very involving and superbly crafted picture. Loosely based on a real story, it tells a powerful one, very simple yet very moving story - miracle if you ask me.Performances are first rate here from the great Robert De Niro and very good one from Robin Williams. Directing is superb - at running time ~2 hours this movie never drags and is highly involving from start till finish. Script by the great Steven Zaillian is also superb, not overwritten, not to much sentimental. Overall, "Awakenings" is a movie which after seeing it once you will probably won't ever forget it. This is a drama without any action, but it is done so good that its hard to stop watching it and admire. Great movie all around.
g-bodyl
Awakenings is what I would call an underrated film despite a big-name duo and a slew of Oscar nominations. This drama is a little-seen movie about people who are given a second chance to see the world. I like how the film does not sugarcoat the story. Sure, there are intense moments of happiness, but that doesn't last and wasn't meant to be. The film is well-written, well-acted, and one of the most underrated film of the past 2 decades. Penny Marshall's film is about a new doctor who is given a ward full of catatonic patients. He is not happy what he sees and is given permission to administer a chemical drug. When the first patient, Leonard, awakens for the first time as an adult, Dr. Sayer realizes there could be hope for these patients. I thought the film was well-acted. Robert De Niro does a great job as Leonard as he represents a catatonic patient quite well both physically and mentally. Also doing a great job was Robin Williams. I think this could have been the first true film proving that Robin was just not a comedian. Overall, Awakenings is a great character study and it's a better film than I have anticipated. Another film that people should definitely try and see. The film will warm your heart, but it is also a kind of film that will make you sad as well. But this is certainly a good film to watch and I highly recommend it.My Grade: A-
