Review of Awakenings (1990) by F B — 22 Sep 2012

"What we do know is that, as the chemical window closed, another awakening took place; that the human spirit is more powerful than any drug - and that is what needs to be nourished: with work, play, friendship, family. THESE are the things that matter. This is what we'd forgotten - the simplest things".

Finally, I had the chance to watch Awakenings. My brother recommended it to me years ago, and since he is not into movies, so once he is captured by a movie, I know it's a good one.

Apart from my brother, I found Awakeknings is very beautiful and heartwarming, but not a tearjerking like some found-or maybe I am not used to sheding a tear through movies. It has also some light scenes. They are not abundant, but sufficient for a movie dealing with catatonic conditions.

Everyone here is perfect playing his role, and I mean everyone, from the two leads to the secondary roles. For Robert De Niro, he is excellent through the entire movie especially through the scenes where he acts as if he can't control his muscles. I think these scenes are difficult enough for any actor to make, but he brilliantly executed them.

But frankly, I loved Robin Williams as Dr. Sayer or Dr. Oliver Sacks, the true neurologist whose book is that the movie is based on more. Here he is nerd, earnest, hopefull..Besides being a great comedian, I like hime in dramatic roles. I don't know if that dramatic role was his first then.

Finally, despite being nominated for three Oscar awards, I think it's underrated, at least among the audience.