Awakenings (1990) – Robin Williams, Robert DeNiro

Tragic, but beautiful story. Carpe diem.

From IMDb: [Warning! The following review is a spoiler...]

Underrated masterpiece

Awakenings

Based on a true-life story, this film is a fictionalized account of neurologist Oliver Sacks experiments with the victims of a rare "sleeping sickness" called encephalitis lethargica. His experimental use of a synthetic drug, L-Dopa (normally administered in the treatment of Parkinsons disease) resulted in the dramatic re-awakening of patients from a decades long state of paralyzed unresponsiveness. This medical "miracle" came with a heavy price however, as the effects of the drug gradually diminished, and the patients slowly degenerated back into their frozen state. Stephen Zaillian's Oscar nominated screenplay is based on Sack's book of the same name, recounting his experiences at the Bronx hospital where these events took place in 1969.

Robin Williams is effectively understated as Dr. Malcolm Sayer, a terminally shy neurologist who applies for a position in a Bronx mental ward after years of solitary, and unfruitful research with earth worms. This character is based on Sacks, and the actor spent considerable time with the doctor while filming the movie, brilliantly absorbing his mannerisms and introverted nature in a performance of rare empathy and compassion. His acting in this movie is on the same high level as De Niro's, which is really saying something.

New to the ward, the eccentric Sayer makes his rounds amidst the unfortunate victims of every kind of neurological disorder. After inadvertently eliciting a response from an elderly catatonic patient named Lucy, he comes to believe that the forgotten and seemingly hopeless patients in "the garden" (so called because the patients are merely fed and watered like plants) are actually aware and cognizant behind a seemingly lifeless facade of blank stares. The hospital's administrators take a dim view of Sayer's optimism, and refuse to approve his request for permission to use the experimental drug L-Dopa. But the determined doctor finally succeeds in persuading them, after getting permission from the mother of one of the ward's patients to try the drug on her son.

Robert De Niro delivers one of his greatest performances as Leonard Lowe, the man who is the first to be "awakened" after being imprisoned in a completely paralyzed state since boy-hood. It is hard to believe this is the same man who portrayed the psychotic Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver, or the brutal Jake La Motta in Raging Bull, so completely does he inhabit this character. He is like a child filled with wonderment and passion for every moment of his regained life. His exuberant embrace of even the simplest of life's pleasures is a lesson to the timid and cautious Dr. Sayer, who undergoes an awakening of his own as he slowly begins to conquer his shyness.

The scenes where the drugs effects wear off, and Leonard slowly loses control of his body in a stream of uncontrollable tics and spasms are heart-breaking. De Niro's performance is so convincing that you almost want to look away in several scenes. Any actor can mimic the effects of a nervous system gone hay-wire, but De Niro puts you inside the character, and you feel the torment along with him. The scene where he realizes his reprieve is nearing it's end, and he says goodbye to the girl he's fallen in love with, is one of the saddest ever filmed. Penelope Ann Miller rises to the task as the love interest, and her first and final dance with Leonard is enough to put tears in the eyes of all but those with the hardest of hearts. This could easily have been a very smarmy moment, but the acting is dead on and Penny Marshall's direction hits just the right notes.

All of this may sound extremely depressing and many may choose not to watch it for that reason. But it is one of the most life affirming movies ever made. It makes you realize how fortunate you are just to be able to wake up in the morning and enjoy even the simplest of life's pleasures, like taking a walk or reading a book. It is one of the best movies ever made.