Drama
United States of America
Awakenings is based on the true story of Dr. Oliver Sacks, who used the drug L-Dopa to treat patients with encephalitis lethargica, a disease that had left them in a catatonic state for decades. The film follows Dr. Malcolm Sayer, a fictionalized version of Sacks, as he embarks on a mission to bring his patients back to life. After Leonard, played by Robert De Niro, awakens from his catatonic state and begins to make remarkable progress, Sayer sets out to treat the other patients in the hospital.
The film explores the relationships between Sayer and his patients as they navigate the challenges of re-entering the world after years of being trapped in their own bodies. Leonard's story is particularly poignant, as he struggles to come to terms with the loss of his youth and the reality of his situation. Despite setbacks and challenges, Sayer remains dedicated to his patients, and the film ultimately celebrates the power of human connection and the resilience of the human spirit.
Awakenings was directed by Penny Marshall and received critical acclaim upon its release in 1990. It was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and marked the beginning of a successful collaboration between Marshall and Tom Hanks, who would go on to work together on several more films.
