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Awakenings (1990)

Directed by:
Penny Marshall

COUNTRY
USA

GENRE
Biographical drama

NORWEGIAN TITLE
Oppvåkningen

RUNNING TIME
121 minutes

Produced by:
Walter F. Parkes
Lawrence Lasker

Written by (based on the book by Oliver Sacks):
Steven Zaillian


Cast includes:

CHARACTER ACTOR/ACTRESS RATING

Leonard Lowe

Robert De Niro ½

Dr. Malcolm Sayer

Robin Williams ½

Eleanor Costello

Julie Kavner

Dr. Kaufman

John Heard

Paula

Penelope Ann Miller

Dr. Peter Ingham

Max von Sydow ½

Ward #5 Patient #6

Vincent Pastore -

Mrs. Lowe

Ruth Nelson

Lucy

Alice Drummond

Rose

Judith Malina -

Frank

George Martin -

Miriam

Anne Meara -
Nurse Margaret Mary Alice -
Sidney Ricard Libertini -
Anthony Keith Diamond -
Neurochemist Peter Stormare -
Dr. Tyler Bradley Whitford -

 

Review

A remarkable medical case and an almost equally remarkable physical performance from Robert De Niro form the basis for this admittedly Hollywoodised but nevertheless gripping drama. Robin Williams plays the shy and impervious Dr. Malcolm Sayer, who takes a position at a New York City hospital for catatonic patients and discovers that there is a peculiar link between their cases that might just make them receptive to a new, experimental drug. Leonard Lowe (De Niro) becomes the doctor's guinea pig, and the results of the treatment seem miraculous. Penny Marshall (Big) directs with a penchant for sentimental payoffs – but also with a profound respect for her characters and their situations. So once you get past the planted antagonists (John Heard) and the mandatory romantic interests (Penelope Ann Miller), the story's humanity and resonance rise above the film's genre tropes, making this a stirring, mostly untainted viewing experience. The two Swedish character actors Max von Sydow and Peter Stormare appear in fun, miniscule roles. Randy Newman delivered the admittedly very 1990s musical score, which is nevertheless highly effective.

Copyright © 31.01.2025 Fredrik Gunerius Fevang

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