"Awakenings" is Penny Marshal's second movie on patients and doctors, the first being "Big". The latest has Robin Williams who, in 1969, discovers beneficial effects of the then-new drug L-Dopa. He administered it to catatonic patients who survived the 1917–28 epidemic of encephalitis lethargica. Leonard Lowe (played by Robert De Niro) and the rest of the patients were awakened after decades of catatonia and have to deal with a new life in a new time.
The film revolves around the The victims of an encephalitis epidemic many years ago have been catatonic ever since, but now a new drug offers the prospect of reviving them. The climax is well shot and scripted. A few songs are well written and brilliantly composed by Randy Newman.
But the film is less impactful than "Big". May be because this is on a more bolder subject. And news was also there indicating that the final edit of the movie was not done according to Penny Marshal's vision for some unknown reasons. Still with Robin Williams in top form and Robert De Niro giving him ample support, it is a Penny Marshal masterpiece and a treat to watch.
Directed ByPenny Marshall
Starring :Robert De Niro ,Robin Williams ,John Heard & Julie Kavner
Music By Randy Newman
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