Dynamixor The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Bessie Smyth Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

Anoushka Slater While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Nicole I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

adonis98-743-186503 The victims of an encephalitis epidemic many years ago have been catatonic ever since, but now a new drug offers the prospect of reviving them. Awakenings benefits from the excellent work from both Robert De Niro and the late Robin Williams but also a story that is very dramatic and optimistic at the same time. The direction was superb and De Niro's perfomance was just fascinating, Penelope Ann Miller most known for her work in films like Kindergarten Cop, The Messengers and Carlito's Way also does a very good job. I think alot of people will appreciate what this film was going for and will definitely feel sorry and inspired from it's main characters. (10/10)

rt-ingram There are some films you watch that leave you cold and never want to see again, and some grow on you and become favourites. There are certain films though, that make an instant, and lasting, impression on you; Awakenings is one such film that did that to me.The film is very moving, and it's remarkable to think that this genuinely happened. Whenever I've seen the film, I always get emotional. It just had that effect on me.Robin Williams gives an excellent performance as Malcolm Sayer, and shows how good a dramatic actor he was for another reason altogether; Sayer is quite a shy character, and Williams was well known for playing outgoing and loud characters. There are moments of humour in his performance, but Williams plays the role completely straight and succeeds admirably. Robert De Niro was Oscar nominated for his role as Leonard, and it's no surprise; he goes through every emotion and gets so into the role that it's hard to think of another actor in the part. The rest of the cast, although not as well known, give excellent performancesAn excellent film and one of the best true story films I've ever seen.

artisticarista This is an A+ film. I had extremely high expectations for it because of the two main men: Robin Williams and Robert De Niro. They definitely did not disappoint! I am often a fan of movies based on either a book or on a true story; I was in for a treat because this one is both! The film is medically accurate and intriguing without overdramatizing the real-life events. Robin Williams greatly portrays the shy, (clearly) genius, Dr. Sayer. And Robert De Niro does an amazing job of playing a catatonic patient, which I imagine would be amazingly difficult.I enjoyed how the film shows the audience how the medical field operated during the time period. Currently, in most hospitals, most doctors are unceasingly looking for the answers - the whys and the hows. They will not stop until they know why a patient reacts this way or how a patient ended up this way. In 1969... it was completely different and I appreciate that the film showed how different the world was without making it seem like doctors were barbaric and soulless creatures.

majslan I just watched it for the first time. I feel so emotional, what a good movie! To be honest I hadn't even heard about this movie before.. I saw it on netflix and I thought the actors were great so I pressed play. I am amazed! Really!!!!What makes it so great is the fact that it is based on a true story.. Thats what makes us so emotional, I cried a little bit :( and the actors, wow! Incredible acting by both Deniro and Williams. I can't let go of the characters in this movie, I wonder what happened later in their lifes... I searched google but could not find any answers.You know when you watch a movie and it is so good that you almost wish that you had not seen it so you can see it for the first time again and be as amazed as the first time! Thats how I feel about this movie. I love emotional movies though. I definitely recommend this movie!