Awakenings (1990)
- Starring:
- Robin Williams, Robert De Niro, (more)
- Director(s):
- Penny Marshall
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG13
- Category:
- Drama
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Based on a true story as related by neurologist Oliver Sacks, Awakenings stars Robin Williams as the Sacks counterpart, here named Dr. Malcolm Sayer. Something of a klutz and naif, Dr. Sayer takes a job at a Bronx psychiatric hospital in 1969. Here he's put in charge of several seemingly catatonic patients who, under Sayer's painstaking guidance, begin responding to certain stimulati. Apprised of the efficacy of a new drug called L-DOPA in treating degenerative-disease victims, Sayer is given permission to test the drug on one of his patients: Leonard Lowe (Robert De Niro), who has not communicated with anyone since lapsing into catatonia as a child. Gradually, Lowe comes out of his shell, encouraging Sayers to administer L-DOPA to the other patients under his care. Julie Kavner and John Heard also star. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 121 mins
Complete Cast:
- Robin Williams - Dr. Malcolm Sayer
- Julie Kavner - Eleanor Costello
- John Heard - Dr. Kaufman
- Alice Drummond - Lucy
- Christina Huertes - Christina
- Steve Vinovich - Ray
- Leonard Tepper - Patient, 5th Ward
- Tiger Haynes - Janitor
- Max von Sydow - Dr. Peter Ingham
- Tomislav Novakovic - Bartender
- Judith Malina - Rose
- Richard Libertini - Sidney
- Anthony McGowen - Patient, 5th Ward
- Shane Fistell - Man in the Hall
- Linda Burns - Fishsticks
- Yusef Bulos - Joseph
- Dexter Gordon - Rolando
- Gordon Joseph Weiss - Patient, 5th Ward
- Vincent Pastore - Patient, 5th Ward
- Le Chance DuRand - Magda
- Steve Randazzo - Luis
- Harvey Miller - Hospital Director
- Charles Keating - Mr. Kean
- Peter Stormare - Neurochemist
- Adam Bryant - Librarian
- Jayne Haynes - Frances
- Mary Alice - Nurse Margaret
- Waheedah Ahmad - Hysterical Woman
- Keith Diamond - Anthony
- John Jones - Dr. Sullivan
- Robert De Niro - Leonard Lowe
- Ruth Nelson - Mrs. Lowe
- Penelope Ann Miller - Paula
- Barton Heyman - Bert
- Anthony J. Nici - Young Leonard Lowe
- Laura Esterman - Lolly
- Bradley Whitford - Dr. Tyler
- Libby Titus - Club Singer
- Buck Smith - 2nd Leonard's Friend
- Anne Meara - Miriam
- Joan E. MacIntosh - Teacher
- Michael Hyde - Bus Driver
- Tanya Berezin - Psychiatrist
- Howard Feller - Patient, 5th Ward
- Mary Catherine Wright - Nurse Beth
- Debra Kovner-Zaks - Cafeteria Nurse
- Max Raven - Head Ward Orderly
- Max Rabinowitz - Orderly, 5th Ward
- Chris Carolan - EEG Technician
- Mel Gorham - Nurse Sara
- Gloria Harper - Dottie
- Gary Tacon - George, Security Guard
- Rico Elias - 1st Orderly
- Gwyllum Evans - Desmond
- Oliver Block - 1st Leonard's Friend
- Byron Utley - Patient, 5th Ward
- Paul Montgomery - Patient, 5th Ward
- George Martin - Frank
- Judy Jacksina - Hospital Receptionist
- Director(s):
- Penny Marshall
- Writer(s):
- Steven Zaillian, Paul W. Shapiro
- Producer(s):
- Arne Schmidt, Walter Parkes, Penny Marshall
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG13(Adult Situations, Questionable for Children, Violence, Adult Language)
- Categories:
- Drama
- Closed Captioning:
- Check All Versions
- Subtitles:
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- 1990 - Awakenings - National Board of Review - Best Actor
- 1990 - Awakenings - National Board of Review - Best Actor
- 1990 - Awakenings - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Actor
