Awakenings
1990 · Movie · PG-13 · 120 min · ★ 7.8 · 78% critics
In a hospital in the late 1960s, a shy research physician takes on a difficult case when patients are left catatonic by a rare disease. He turns to an experimental drug, beginning with one patient whose awakening sparks awe and hope—and changes his own outlook on life.
Based on Awakenings
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Details
- Years
- 1990
- Release date
- 1990-12-04
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG-13
- Runtime
- 120 min
- Critic score
- 78/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.8/10 (2,865 votes)
- Box office
- $52,096,475
- Budget
- $31,000,000
About
You’ll likely enjoy Awakenings if you want a heartfelt, true-story drama with strong emotional pull and inspiring recoveries, but Not for you if you dislike sad hospital stories or need something less tear-jerking than Dead Poets Society or Sophie's Choice.
Pros: touching performances; hopeful moments; respectful story | Cons: uneven tone; predictable beats; emotionally heavy
Themes
- coma
- experiment
- based on novel or book
- hope
- miracle
- based on true story
- hospital
- illness
- woman director
- comatose
- medical drama
Awards & recognition
- National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay · 1991 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Actor · 1991 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Picture · 1991 · nominated
Cast & crew
Robert De Niro
as Leonard Lowe
Robin Williams
as Malcolm Sayer
John Heard
as Dr. Kaufman
Julie Kavner
as Eleanor Costello
Penelope Ann Miller
as Paula
Ruth Nelson
as Mrs. Lowe
Max von Sydow
as Peter Ingham
Anne Meara
as Miriam
Dexter Gordon
as Rolando
George Martin
as Frank
Directed by Penny Marshall