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Awakenings
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.
1990 · Directed by Penny Marshall · 120 min · Drama · 18 frames
Tagline
There is no such thing as a simple miracle.
Crew
- Screenplay: Steven Zaillian
- Cinematography: Miroslav Ondříček
- Edited by: Battle Davis, Gerald B. Greenberg
- Music: Randy Newman
- Production design: Anton Furst
- Produced by: Lawrence Lasker, Walter F. Parkes
Cast
- Robert De Niro as Leonard Lowe
- Robin Williams as Malcolm Sayer
- John Heard as Dr. Kaufman
- Julie Kavner as Eleanor Costello
- Penelope Ann Miller as Paula
- Ruth Nelson as Mrs. Lowe
- Max von Sydow as Peter Ingham
- Anne Meara as Miriam
- Dexter Gordon as Rolando
- George Martin as Frank
Production
- Country: United States of America
- Language: English
- Studios: Parkes/Lasker productions
- Budget: $31,000,000
- Box office: $52,096,475
- Themes: coma, experiment, based on novel or book, hope, miracle, based on true story, hospital, illness, woman director, comatose
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