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Awakenings

  • 1990
  • PG-13
  • 2h 1m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
169K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,840
207
Robert De Niro and Robin Williams in Awakenings (1990)
Official Trailer
Play trailer2:44
4 Videos
99+ Photos
Medical DramaBiographyDrama

Dr. Sayer is a pioneering neurologist who wants to take a risk and give his patients who suffer from encephalitis a drug used for Parkinson's Disease. He tries it out on one man who miraculo... Read allDr. Sayer is a pioneering neurologist who wants to take a risk and give his patients who suffer from encephalitis a drug used for Parkinson's Disease. He tries it out on one man who miraculously wakes from his perpetual catatonic state.Dr. Sayer is a pioneering neurologist who wants to take a risk and give his patients who suffer from encephalitis a drug used for Parkinson's Disease. He tries it out on one man who miraculously wakes from his perpetual catatonic state.

  • Director
    • Penny Marshall
  • Writers
    • Oliver Sacks
    • Steven Zaillian
  • Stars
    • Robert De Niro
    • Robin Williams
    • Julie Kavner
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.8/10
    169K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,840
    207
    • Director
      • Penny Marshall
    • Writers
      • Oliver Sacks
      • Steven Zaillian
    • Stars
      • Robert De Niro
      • Robin Williams
      • Julie Kavner
    • 298User reviews
    • 52Critic reviews
    • 74Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 Oscars
      • 6 wins & 11 nominations total

    Videos4

    Awakenings
    Trailer 2:44
    Awakenings
    Awakenings
    Trailer 2:43
    Awakenings
    Awakenings
    Trailer 2:43
    Awakenings
    Awakenings
    Clip 1:51
    Awakenings
    Clip
    Video 1:46
    Clip

    Photos113

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    + 107
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    Top cast71

    Edit
    Robert De Niro
    Robert De Niro
    • Leonard Lowe
    Robin Williams
    Robin Williams
    • Dr. Malcolm Sayer
    Julie Kavner
    Julie Kavner
    • Eleanor Costello
    Ruth Nelson
    Ruth Nelson
    • Mrs. Lowe
    John Heard
    John Heard
    • Dr. Kaufman
    Penelope Ann Miller
    Penelope Ann Miller
    • Paula
    Alice Drummond
    Alice Drummond
    • Lucy
    Judith Malina
    Judith Malina
    • Rose
    Barton Heyman
    Barton Heyman
    • Bert
    George Martin
    George Martin
    • Frank
    Anne Meara
    Anne Meara
    • Miriam
    Richard Libertini
    Richard Libertini
    • Sidney
    Laura Esterman
    • Lolly
    Dexter Gordon
    Dexter Gordon
    • Rolando
    Jayne Haynes
    • Frances
    Le Clanché du Rand
    • Magda
    • (as Le Clanche Du Rand)
    Yusef Bulos
    Yusef Bulos
    • Joseph
    Steven Randazzo
    Steven Randazzo
    • Luis
    • (as Steve Randazzo)
    • Director
      • Penny Marshall
    • Writers
      • Oliver Sacks
      • Steven Zaillian
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Prior to filming, the cast members portraying patients studied films of Dr. Oliver Sacks' post-encephalitis patients, and Robert De Niro and Robin Williams spent time with Sacks in the hospital observing him and his patients.
    • Goofs
      When Leonard gets the correct dose of medicine and 'awakens', he walks with almost no difficulty. If he had been catatonic for years, and even if he had been exercised regularly, he would not have been able to just get up and walk around so easily. His muscles would have atrophied. His voice would also have been raspy from disuse.
    • Quotes

      Leonard Lowe: We've got to tell everybody. We've got to remind them. We've got to remind them how good it is.

      Dr. Sayer: How good what is, Leonard?

      Leonard Lowe: Read the newspaper. What does it say? All bad. It's all bad. People have forgotten what life is all about. They've forgotten what it is to be alive. They need to be reminded. They need to be reminded of what they have and what they can lose. What I feel is the joy of life, the gift of life, the freedom of life, the wonderment of life!

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: The Rookie/Berkeley in the Sixties/Edward Scissorhands/The Grifters (1990)
    • Soundtracks
      I'm Always Chasing Rainbows
      Written by Harry Carroll and Joseph McCarthy

    User reviews298

    Featured review
    10/10

    A wonderful and touching film

    It's a tale about a doctor(Robin Williams) taking on a new job in the Bronx. His new patients are something of the unusual. A handful of them share an unexplainable disease. The rare disease has left these people frozen in time. One of his main patients is a man named Leonard Lowe, played by Robert Deniro. Doctor Sayer begins a diligent study. To the present day, there are still many questions surrounding this strange disease. During one amazing season in the late 60's, a miracle happened.

    In my opinion, both Robin Williams and Robert Deniro should have won Oscars for this film. I always say that Williams with a beard equals an amazing performance. His role as the meek Dr. Sayer is heartwarming. He plays perfectly off Deniro's character. Robert Deniro is golden as Leonard, the disease afflicted patient that gives all of his consciousness to help Dr. Sayer. With the help of a large dose of medicine and care all the patients and hospital staff have awakenings.

    One of the most important words spoken in the film is: LEARN.

    This film teaches me to appreciate life a little more every time I see it. It hopefully sends us the message to enjoy life. To love and embrace what we have and perhaps learn not to take the natural joys in life for granted is the message.
    • gates170
    • Dec 5, 2006
    • Permalink

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    FAQ20

    • How long is Awakenings?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 11, 1991 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Despertares
    • Filming locations
      • Enid A Haupt Conservatory, New York Botanical Gardens - 200th Street & Southern Boulevard, Bronx, New York City, New York, USA(Botanical Gardens)
    • Production companies
      • Columbia Pictures
      • Parkes/Lasker productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $31,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $52,096,475
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $417,076
      • Dec 25, 1990
    • Gross worldwide
      • $52,096,475
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 1 minute
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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