Awakenings




You'd think all of these atypical somethings would add up to a typical something.

While it may seem extraordinary for a person to be in a catatonic state for most of their lives and then suddenly come back to life, this movie is based on a true story. These people lose entire decades of their lives, and it is hard to imagine what that must be like.

Dr. Malcolm Sayer (Robin Williams) is the new neurologist at a chronic hospital. There he finds connections between patients suffering in catatonic states, rendering them mostly oblivious to what happens around them. Despite being hindered by his co-workers' lack of belief or concern for his efforts, he eventually is allowed to administer special medication to Leonard (Robert DeNiro), one of his patients. The medication begins to show surprising results, awakening Leonard from his thirty-year coma.

Starting out, there's a thrilling sense of excitement as Sayer slowly unravels the mysteries behind his patients. What he finds is often surprising to say the least, and in a strange way it's thrilling. We also get to know Sayer, who is a compassionate yet shy individual with boundless determination. A great pace is developed here, that is until Leonard abruptly wakes up.

There is an initial innocence to Leonard. After all, he fell ill while he was just a boy. He quickly grows up, more or less. The story then unexpectedly switches gears and encompasses an effective if heavy-handed message about appreciating life. For the most part, the material becomes somewhat soggy from there on in, but perhaps it only feels like it since it can't match up to the preceding act. Still, it has a few good moments, and it's difficult not to be moved by the story of people waking up to find that half of their lives have gone by.

Williams turns in a great performance as he apparently went to great lengths to copy Sack's (author of the book this is based on) mannerisms. It's unfortunate that his role's importance dwindles significantly as the film progresses. DeNiro also does an excellent job, especially in acting out Leonard's symptoms. But the performance that really touched me was Penelope Ann Miller's. She plays Paula, a girl who becomes good friends with Leonard. I won't give anything away about it. But needless to say it is very touching in an honest way.

While Awakenings has an incredible first act, the following two can't quite measure up to it.



-The Gnome