Awakenings poster

Awakenings( 1990)

TV-MADrama
78%
User
Score

There is no such thing as a simple miracle.

Overview

Dr. Malcolm Sayer, a shy research physician, uses an experimental drug to "awaken" the catatonic victims of a rare disease. Leonard is the first patient to receive the controversial treatment. His awakening, filled with awe and enthusiasm, proves a rebirth for Sayer too, as the exuberant patient reveals life's simple but unutterably sweet pleasures to the introverted doctor.

    Top Billed Cast

    1. cast image

      Robert De Niro

      Leonard Lowe

    2. cast image

      Robin Williams

      Malcolm Sayer

    3. cast image

      John Heard

      Dr. Kaufman

    4. cast image

      Julie Kavner

      Eleanor Costello

    5. cast image

      Penelope Ann Miller

      Paula

    6. cast image

      Ruth Nelson

      Mrs. Lowe

    7. cast image

      Max von Sydow

      Peter Ingham

    8. cast image

      Anne Meara

      Miriam

    9. cast image

      Dexter Gordon

      Rolando

    10. cast image

      George Martin

      Frank

    11. cast image

      Alice Drummond

      Lucy Fishman

    12. cast image

      Richard Libertini

      Sidney

    13. cast image

      Laura Esterman

      Lolly

    14. cast image

      Barton Heyman

      Bert

    15. cast image

      Judith Malina

      Rose

    16. cast image

      Mary Alice

      Nurse Margaret

    17. cast image

      Keith Diamond

      Anthony

    18. cast image

      Bradley Whitford

      Dr. Tyler

    19. cast image

      John Christopher Jones

      Dr. Sullivan

    20. cast image

      Mary Catherine Wright

      Nurse Beth

    21. cast image

      Jayne Haynes

      Frances

    22. cast image

      Le Clanché du Rand

      Magda

    23. cast image

      Yusef Bulos

      Joseph

    24. cast image

      Steven Randazzo

      Luis

    25. cast image

      Gloria Harper

      Dottie

    26. cast image

      Gwyllum Evans

      Desmond

    27. cast image

      Steve Vinovich

      Ray

    28. cast image

      Tiger Haynes

      Janitor

    29. cast image

      Harvey Miller

      Hospital Director

    30. cast image

      Tanya Berezin

      Psychiatrist

    31. cast image

      Peter Stormare

      Neurochemist

    32. cast image

      Shane Fistell

      Man in Hall

    33. cast image

      Waheedah Ahmad

      Hysterical Woman

    34. cast image

      Charles Keating

      Mr. Kean

    35. cast image

      Christina Huertes

      Christina

    36. cast image

      Linda Burns

      Fishsticks

    37. cast image

      Judy Jacksina

      Hospital Receptionist

    38. cast image

      Gary Tacon

      George

    39. cast image

      Rico Elias

      Orderly #1

    40. cast image

      Mel Gorham

      Nurse Sara

    41. cast image

      Chris Carolan

      EEG Technician

    42. cast image

      Debra Kovner-Zaks

      Cafeteria Nurse

    43. cast image

      Max Rabinowitz

      Ward #5 Orderly

    44. cast image

      Gordon Joseph Weiss

      Ward #5 Patient

    45. cast image

      Byron Utley

      Ward #5 Patient #2

    46. cast image

      Anthony McGowen

      Ward #5 Patient #3

    47. cast image

      Paul Montgomery

      Ward #5 Patient #4

    48. cast image

      Leonard Tepper

      Ward #5 Patient #5

    49. cast image

      Vincent Pastore

      Ward #5 Patient #6

    50. cast image

      Howard Feller

      Ward #5 Patient #7

    51. cast image

      Libby Titus

      Club Singer

    52. cast image

      Michael Hyde

      Bus Driver

    53. cast image

      Tomislav Novakovic

      Bartender

    54. cast image

      Adam Bryant

      Librarian

    55. cast image

      Anthony J. Nici

      Young Leonard

    56. cast image

      Oliver Block

      Leonard's Friend #1

    57. cast image

      Buck Smith

      Leonard's Friend #2

    58. cast image

      Joan E. MacIntosh

      Teacher

    59. cast image

      Harry L. Seddon

      Medical Student

    60. cast image

      Jack Mulcahy

      Psych Ward Intern

    61. cast image

      Jason W. Fuchs

      Pot-Head Hippie

    62. cast image

      Vin Diesel

      Hospital Orderly (uncredited)

    Social

    Review 1Discussion

    A review by Wuchak

    5
    Written by Wuchak on Wed Jan 01 2020
    ***A ‘hospital film’ with Robin Williams and Robert De Niro, based on a true story*** A shy doctor (Robin Williams) gets a job at a Bronx hospital in 1969 where he attends to several patients in a catatonic state after the encephalitis epidemic of 1917–28. He experiments with a new drug that offers the hope of reviving them. Robert De Niro plays his key patient, Julie Kavner his nurse and John Heard his supervisor. Penelope Ann Miller is also on hand as a potential romantic interest. "Awakenings” (1990) is based on Oliver Sacks' 1973 memoir of the same name, which chronicled the true even...

    Media

    Videos 3Backdrops 14Posters 52

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    Facts

    Status

    Released

    Original Language

    English

    Budget

    31000000.00

    Revenue

    52096475.00

    Keywords

    • coma
    • experiment
    • based on novel or book
    • hope
    • miracle
    • based on true story
    • hospital
    • illness
    • woman director
    • comatose