sign in
register
Watch
Apple TV Google Play Movies Fandango At Home
+4
Awakenings
Awakenings
+4
JustWatch
Your probable score
?
Awakenings

Awakenings

1990
Drama, Biography
2h 1m
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.

Directed by:

Penny Marshall

Screenwriter:

Steven Zaillian, Oliver Sacks

Starring:

Robert De Niro, Penelope Ann Miller, Robin Williams, Bradley Whitford, Vin Diesel, Peter Stormare, John Heard, Max von Sydow, Julie Kavner, Judith Malina, Ruth Nelson, Dexter Gordon

Genres:

Drama, Biography

Country:

USA

Language:

English
imdb IMDb
Update history
Suggest edit

Awakenings

1990
Drama, Biography
2h 1m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 61.52% from 2964 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

(2986)
Compact view
clear
Compact view
Show
Sort
gritGrit
Rated 15 Mar 2008
84
90th
An excellent and underrated emotional drama with two excellent performances from De Niro and Williams, De Niro really should have had no trouble being awarded something for his role. Based upon true events, Awakenings is attention grabbing and paints a very moving picture of the emotional trauma of what is effectively a re-birth, only to have it taken away again. It might not be entirely to all tastes and doesn't make easy viewing, but it's no doubt a fantastic film full of symbolic meanings.
Rated 15 Mar 2008
jimmynmujimmynmu
Rated 26 Feb 2007
61
40th
Sappy, but De Niro did a fantastic job. Pretty average film.
Rated 26 Feb 2007
lachapellelachapelle
Rated 14 Aug 2007
71
36th
De Niro and Williams are excellent in this movie. Sadly the rest of the movie, while good, doesn't match the quality of their performances. Definately not your summer blockbuster action film, but quite enjoyable.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
kasperlKasperL
Rated 12 Feb 2021
55
39th
Newman's score is very good, and whenever things threaten to become to hard to watch or too awkward, Zaillan tempers his well-composed screenplay with a joke or a sweet moment. As for the acting, it was probably De Niro's 'My Left Foot'-ish efforts that landed him an Oscar nomination, but what's most impressive about his performance is when he convinces us that he is, in many ways, a boy in a man's body. And I actually enjoyed Williams' and restrained performance as the warm-hearted doctor more.
Rated 12 Feb 2021
zozanZozan
Rated 09 Nov 2009
75
77th
Nice performances by De Niro and Williams indeed but still I just feel that the treatment should be something more then random amounts of random medicines. For a movie that is based on treating patients of a certain disease, the tecniques used was kinda lame.
Rated 09 Nov 2009
nathandarkoNathanDarko
Rated 01 Apr 2009
94
91st
A sad and emotional Movie that goes under the skin.Great performance by De Niro & Williams.
Rated 01 Apr 2009
sorksork
Rated 02 Jun 2008
47
36th
Good, but really too depressing to want to watch again.
Rated 02 Jun 2008
unneunne
Rated 18 Mar 2008
87
92nd
This movie brought tears to my eyes.
Rated 18 Mar 2008
tripleshTripleSH
Rated 14 Aug 2007
86
82nd
Strong performances by Deniro and Williams make this a hit that stands the test of time. A great story with a thought-provoking edge to it.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
agentsnipeAgentSnipe
Rated 14 Aug 2007
77
49th
Robin Williams and Robert DeNiro both do a great job in this movie. The film itself is very thought provoking and a great study in medical psychology.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
whomperizewhomperize
Rated 14 Aug 2007
66
58th
DeNiro is amazing in this.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
andaybandayb
Rated 24 May 2024
80
91st
awakenings is a great film on its own, but it hits even harder when you know what l-dopa is on a personal level. the script, while based on real events, is dramatized just enough to elicit the bittersweet catharsis. rilke's panther was a masterful touch.
Rated 24 May 2024
tugcehoratugcehora
Rated 10 Jan 2024
82
79th
Best work of Robert De Niro! If you want to learn how to be a good actor, De Niro gives a lesson about it in this movie.Also it is very impressive that this is a real story.
Rated 10 Jan 2024
moviepoopmoviepoop
Rated 10 Feb 2023
83
93rd
oğlum bu film beni çok etkiledi lan. filmin başlarında ağlayacak gibi oldum. ülke olarak çok zor zamanlardan geçtiğimiz için de olabilir. gerçekten en basit şeylerin kıymetini bu zamanlarda anlıyorum. hayat kısa. kendi "uyanışlarımızın" değerini bilmeliyiz.
Rated 10 Feb 2023
montycircusMontyCircus
Rated 19 Oct 2022
80
90th
I was holding back tears. I think it lacked an emotional punch from the *SPOILERS* patients reverting back to their ill selves. That realization from the audience could have been a stronger "Flowers for Algernon" sort of gut punch. De Niro's good-bye to his girl was reminiscent of "The Elephant Man" as well. De Niro was fabulous.
Rated 19 Oct 2022
eatbeanseatbeans
Rated 23 Sep 2022
9
87th
A very sweet and interesting pseudo documentary and one of Robin Williams's best
Rated 23 Sep 2022
enigmazweb24enigmazweb24
Rated 10 Jul 2022
95
86th
Very strong performances make an overly-bleak premise more than watchable. You can sympathize with both the lead and the supporting cast on two very different wavelengths rather easily.
Rated 10 Jul 2022
war_machineWar Machine
Rated 13 Jun 2022
70
54th
Shaky-cantseefriends+basedontrue-bronx69+saidcouldntbedone/iknownowiprovedit:P+allsurvivedsickness+wontlethimgoforawalk-crazy/ticks-hardtowatch+helikesknowingtheyshouldntbetherelol+learnfromme!+herdancingcalmshim+allbacktoit-inspiredtoaskherout
Rated 13 Jun 2022
croweycrowey
Rated 10 May 2022
30
19th
Ugh, I hate these miraculous "stories of hope" schmaltz fests. It's so self-conscious and melodramatic. If they could have told this story straight, without all the sentimental handholding, it could have been great. The scientists involved were brilliant.
Rated 10 May 2022
eskimoseskimos
Rated 05 Sep 2021
83
84th
ilk izlenimden ziyade hatırladıkça daha güzel bir his bırakıyor içimde.
Rated 05 Sep 2021
mustafatanismustafatanis
Rated 30 Apr 2021
78
58th
De Niro Rocks
Rated 30 Apr 2021
jordanchasejordanchase
Rated 20 Jan 2021
90
94th
20.01.2021 Kartal
Rated 20 Jan 2021
aalperraaaalperraa
Rated 16 Jan 2021
80
71st
10.01.2021, Umraniye
Rated 16 Jan 2021
gargom04Gargom04
Rated 10 Oct 2020
55
6th
Opinión personal: 6 Actores: 7,5 Planos: 6,5 Guión: 4 BSO: 5 Director: 4 Total: 55
Rated 10 Oct 2020
thatyoungmthatyoungm
Rated 29 Apr 2020
89
74th
Strong performances hold up this subtle, but insightful film that plays like a combination of Flower for Algernon and One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest. De Niro gives what I think is one of his career best performances as a man who is basically coming back into a world he knows nothing about. Williams is great as always and the film really plumbs some tragic and moving emotional depths en route to its bittersweet conclusion.
Rated 29 Apr 2020
matthagenmatthagen
Rated 14 Mar 2020
70
85th
Seen: 2.
Rated 14 Mar 2020
medinavimedinavi
Rated 29 Jun 2019
70
44th
Muhteşem bir konu, harika oyuncular ama yanlış bir ton ve fazla büyük dramaturji. Parçalarının toplamından biraz daha küçük bir film.
Rated 29 Jun 2019
nickyeyeznickyeyez
Rated 26 Apr 2019
90
93rd
Worth it for the performance of the two stars. Possibly Williams' greatest work at the time, maybe still.
Rated 26 Apr 2019
director26director26
Rated 16 Nov 2018
80
50th
Kesinlikle hikaye çok farklı ve gerçek olması da bunu daha da güçlendiriyor. Filmin eksi taraflarına gelirsek , aşk temasının yarım yamalak işlenmesi, olay akışının dengesizliği vs. Filmin sonu beklenmedik bu artı bir avantaj. De Niro rolünü muhteşem oynamış. Teknik olarak çekimler çok sıradandı. Filmin hikâyesi ve iki başrolün oyuncuklarina diğer öğelerde eklenseydi muhteşem bir film olabilir. Kesinlikle diyemem ama izlenmeli diyebilirim. 8/10
Rated 16 Nov 2018
skapskap
Rated 05 Apr 2018
80
57th
I remembered this as a very good movie.
Rated 05 Apr 2018
ugurakinugur.akin
Rated 28 Oct 2017
78
61st
sad- hits you hard. good at showing how everything comes back to the same place in the circle's end.
Rated 28 Oct 2017
qwershadyqwershady
Rated 26 Sep 2017
79
81st
Salute to two master!
Rated 26 Sep 2017
henrikHenrik
Rated 31 Aug 2017
60
38th
High praises to the touching but never sentimental music by the great Randy Newman. Everything else is just so-so.
Rated 31 Aug 2017
luordluord
Rated 09 Aug 2017
69
67th
De Niro and Williams are great and the facts-based story is affecting. It could've done with less exposition and more character drama, however.
Rated 09 Aug 2017
guy-piranhaguy piranha
Rated 11 Jun 2017
70
69th
Succumbs to typical 90s melodrama in an often indeliberately funny way. Still, de niro and williams give it all they got, and the themes of life and gratitude for the "granted" things work well enough.
Rated 11 Jun 2017
boesballboesball
Rated 13 Feb 2016
75
80th
Emotional film that was worth watching
Rated 13 Feb 2016
koiraskoiras
Rated 01 Nov 2015
60
64th
A decent movie, considering the time it was made.
Rated 01 Nov 2015
gnalkhereGnalkhere
Rated 02 Sep 2015
75
60th
As much as it's played out as a conventional inspiring film with a moving story and a few clichés here and there made for a mainstream audience, all of that doesn't take away from the fact that the film is pretty good; acting is good, but DeNiro and Williams are immaculate. In all aspects, this is the anti-Patch Adams. R.I.P Robin Williams, Oliver Sacks, and Penny Marshall
Rated 02 Sep 2015
dresd_r_e_s_
Rated 01 Sep 2015
3
65th
Power performance by De Niro, while Williams delivers a genuine portrait of the introvert, yet big-hearted Oliver Sacks. A delightful and at the same time, heavy-hearted movie about how fragile life can be. *Good
Rated 01 Sep 2015
rnestrnest
Rated 20 May 2015
6
45th
de niro
Rated 20 May 2015
joelwatchesmoviesjoelwatchesmovies
Rated 15 May 2015
8
80th
A fascinating and moving true story featuring stellar performances from the two leads: Williams' shy but determined doctor attempts to "awaken" comatose patients with a new drug, and the aftermath is a tear-jerking mix of heart warming joy and wrenching sadness, seen most notably in DeNiro's endearing Leonard. The parallel "awakening" of the doctor is meaningful without being heavy-handed, thanks to a graceful script. A delicate soundtrack and thoughtful cinematography top off this lovely film.
Rated 15 May 2015
castlevania2Castlevania2
Rated 18 Nov 2014
85
40th
De Niro was all in on this one. Not even Penelope Ann Miller can stand in the way of such firepower.
Rated 18 Nov 2014
okkervilOkkervil
Rated 17 Aug 2014
68
63rd
A generally well made movie with solid lead performances from both De Niro and Williams.
Rated 17 Aug 2014
tarwebroodtarwebrood
Rated 14 Aug 2014
80
69th
2014-08-14
Rated 14 Aug 2014
zipsterZipster
Rated 11 Aug 2014
95
92nd
When I open the dictionary, I better see a picture of this movie next to the word "life-affirming." Also next to whatever the opposite of boring and badly-made are.
Rated 11 Aug 2014
glm01glm01
Rated 14 Mar 2014
83
75th
83.000
Rated 14 Mar 2014
damildamil
Rated 14 Aug 2013
75
81st
This was a pretty nice movie. It's a pretty extraordinary story and I enjoyed watching it. Sometimes the structure wasn't there and the film would fall into a bit of a lull, but it would soon pick up. Both Robin Williams and Robert De Niro are great in this. It's got some good emotion and it's very easy to like.
Rated 14 Aug 2013
sweekodenSweekoden
Rated 27 Jul 2013
93
97th
super powerful movie. was a bit unsure about williams' insecure character and the jokey approach they had to his and elenors relationship, but in the end i thought it worked beautifully and i could definitely see myself in a lot of williams mannerisms. deniro was of course great and outside of the brief conflict bit i was into the movie from start to finish.
Rated 27 Jul 2013
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 25 Nov 2012
70
79th
Solid kinda depressing drama with two very good turns from the leads. Its a bit heavy handed at times, but the nature of the material kinda lends to that. Worth seeing.
Rated 25 Nov 2012
gkfilmgkfilm
Rated 23 Jun 2012
50
23rd
2 of 4 -- Entertainment. 1 of 2 -- Food For Thought. 2 of 2 -- Opens The Heart. 0 of 2 -- Sustainability Values.
Rated 23 Jun 2012
cubelesscubeless
Rated 20 Apr 2012
75
90th
hard movie
Rated 20 Apr 2012
sirstuckeySirStuckey
Rated 30 Jan 2012
75
67th
Great acting in a good movie. It was a bit manipulative, but it would be almost impossible not to be considering the story it was based off of. I'm not positive the two love stories needed to be there, but it added a little drama and a third dimension to the plot. Worth seeing if only for a fantastic De Niro performance.
Rated 30 Jan 2012
batuibatui
Rated 28 Jan 2012
60
36th
The actual story of the drug is tailor-made for a somber, tug-at-your-heartstrings movie with the message to appreciate life and live it to the fullest, so I don't know why they felt it necessary to add cliched scenes and an antagonist doctor.
Rated 28 Jan 2012
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 26 Dec 2011
78
72nd
This film has great performances by both Robert De Niro and Robin Williams. These two actors really work well with each other. Overall this is a well done drama.
Rated 26 Dec 2011
glmglm
Rated 26 Oct 2011
85
80th
84.625
Rated 26 Oct 2011
xakkmasterXakkMaster
Rated 21 Jun 2011
82
68th
An incredible true story of comatose patients at a psychiatric hospital who go through emotional roller-coasters when a new "miracle drug" brings them out of years of catatonic sleep. Robert De Niro is fantastic, easily transitioning through several different stages of his character's mental development. Robin Williams is strong in the role of an awkward, but big-hearted doctor. The reality of this film is strikingly sad, but carries a message reminding the viewer of the delicate nature of life.
Rated 21 Jun 2011
tvfilm_hubTV+Film-Hub
Rated 05 May 2011
1
9th
Just too dull/politically correct/boring/pandering.
Rated 05 May 2011
senseisensei
Rated 15 Apr 2011
60
19th
I might've enjoyed this more if I wasn't forced to watch it over several days in high school psychology. And then again in an english class. Pretty bland.
Rated 15 Apr 2011
kdog311kdog311
Rated 11 Feb 2011
84
74th
I had forgotten what a moving film this was - Williams' character is quirky but lovable and De Niro does a fantastic job making you feel for Lenard's condition . . . by the end of the film, I was really drawn into the story.
Rated 11 Feb 2011
jellyscudsJellyscuds
Rated 26 Jun 2010
60
61st
Some great performances and good direction. It's definately worth a watch.
Rated 26 Jun 2010
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 21 Dec 2009
74
24th
DeNiro gives the conventional worthy-of-an-oscar-handicapped-guy-performance in this much too sentimental film. Robin Williams and Julie Kavner are way too cute. Read a book by Oliver Sacks instead.
Rated 21 Dec 2009
lucluc
Rated 02 Dec 2009
80
91st
Incredible true story. R.De Niro played here an excellent role in this movie. At a certain moment I had to laugh at least 2 minutes with his tics at the end. Awesome movie.
Rated 02 Dec 2009
bojanglesBojangles
Rated 28 Nov 2009
60
61st
The poster is beautiful which makes it kind of misleading since the film seems 'made for tv.' Good story and all...
Rated 28 Nov 2009
nandorizzinandorizzi
Rated 23 Sep 2009
70
61st
Good performances of two great actors, De Niro and Williams, which guarantee a certain quality to another film about disability in a psychiatric hospital. It's a good movie, but is not so innovative, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, 15 years before this film, is better and more intense.
Rated 23 Sep 2009
freelansfreelans
Rated 21 Sep 2009
98
88th
fabulous movie that takes you through a roller coaster of emotions.
Rated 21 Sep 2009
westknifewestknife
Rated 29 Jul 2009
45
14th
Obvious tear-jerking Oscar bait. But DeNiro is good. I can never take Robin Williams seriously as an actor.
Rated 29 Jul 2009
pigletPiglet
Rated 22 Jul 2009
77
85th
Mesmerizing and enchanting performance by De Niro, and Williams proves yet again that he is better in serious roles.
Rated 22 Jul 2009
tedted
Rated 10 May 2009
45
16th
Lame schmaltz. Ended up turning it off.
Rated 10 May 2009
irvinejumpirvinejump
Rated 19 Jan 2009
10
6th
I know this is a true story and stuff, but it's these sorts of Robin williams flicks I avoid at all costs
Rated 19 Jan 2009
fragglerockrFragglerockr
Rated 27 Dec 2008
81
39th
breaks my heart
Rated 27 Dec 2008
bartusBArtus
Rated 16 Nov 2008
95
84th
it's a debut movie role for Vina Diesel - hospital attendant, not mentioned in end credits :)
Rated 16 Nov 2008
jmsenisejmsenise
Rated 01 Nov 2008
85
87th
One of De Niro's best performance
Rated 01 Nov 2008
tathieltathiel
Rated 18 Oct 2008
82
76th
Entertaining drama with a solid performance by Robert de Niro.
Rated 18 Oct 2008
teeceeteecee
Rated 16 Sep 2008
40
54th
god..og så alligevel ikke
Rated 16 Sep 2008
filliganFilligan
Rated 13 Sep 2008
77
36th
It works enough on all levels to be effective drama. Everything about De Niro has been said, but Robin Williams gives a very underrated performance here. I might actually prefer him to De Niro. That said, Randy Newman is the most generic score writer ever. I keep laughing at the fact that after the movie, the score made me think of a more memorable score: Jurassic Park's. Do dooo, do doooo, do do do, do do do doooooo... Look, it's almost 4 AM and if you think I'm backspacing this you're wrong.
Rated 13 Sep 2008
fuzzixfuzzix
Rated 09 Aug 2008
70
72nd
The Overdone Randy Nemwan heartstring-pulling soundtrack manages not to detract from this tale of... well, tale of something you'll have to find out for yourself. DeNiro still infallible.
Rated 09 Aug 2008
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 29 May 2008
88
95th
Everything anybody has to say about this movie is TRUE! Thought provoking, yes, wonderful, yes, tear jerking, yes. It is the predecessor of what will become "Patch Adams".
Rated 29 May 2008
mausphartmausphart
Rated 30 Apr 2008
83
52nd
I once tried to swallow a whole frisbee. I wish I could remember how it turned out. Oh well, easy come easy go.
Rated 30 Apr 2008
caimancaiman
Rated 14 Mar 2008
84
75th
Touching and memorable. DeNiro and Williams both give amazing performances, and the story unfolds with heartbreaking precision.
Rated 14 Mar 2008
ismIsm
Rated 27 Jan 2008
79
53rd
Good performance from DeNiro saves it from being a sap-fest
Rated 27 Jan 2008
lookinglandLookingLand
Rated 16 Nov 2007
15
18th
dull.
Rated 16 Nov 2007
jamiesheltonJamieShelton
Rated 18 Oct 2007
70
5th
The acting exchanges between Robert de Niro and Robin Williams (who evolved from gifted comedian acting in films to gifted dramatic actor with his performance in this film) is the main reason to watch this otherwise standard treatment of a true story.
Rated 18 Oct 2007
dustydDustyd
Rated 17 Sep 2007
80
89th
very good
Rated 17 Sep 2007
teknicolorteknicolor
Rated 28 Aug 2007
76
69th
Yeah it was a touching movie, De Niro was great, Williams was lackluster and squirrelly. It brought a tear to my eye.
Rated 28 Aug 2007
asilaydyingAsILayDying
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
14th
I was forced to watch this film in a high school english class. It turned out to be a decent movie, but I'm certainly glad I didn't pay to watch it. A decent watch, but only worth one watch, if at all.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
thedenizenTheDenizen
Rated 14 Aug 2007
55
32nd
Overly melodramatic story of a bunch of coma victims who all wake up thanks to a new drug. DeNiro is OK but Robin Williams comes across as creepy and annoying as the doctor.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
lifeandalllifeandall
Rated 25 Jun 2007
75
50th
This film had touching moments, but something felt a little forced sometimes. While DeNiro did a fine job, I can't help but wonder if someone else should have been cast.
Rated 25 Jun 2007
stainStain
Rated 02 Apr 2007
80
68th
A television-style movie, right down to the heavy-handedness, but satisfying. De Niro makes such a fine basket case
Rated 02 Apr 2007
hmurtibhmurtib
Rated 14 Mar 2007
83
71st
Touching. De Niro gives a superb performance. Brilliant.
Rated 14 Mar 2007
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 01 Mar 2007
70
82nd
Great film.
Rated 01 Mar 2007
abunfkabunfk
Rated 18 Jan 2007
96
98th
nice very nice çok hoþ bir film hiç kimse tereddüt etmesin ve izlesin
Rated 18 Jan 2007
vencettivencetti
Rated 21 Dec 2006
95
97th
Great movie based on Oliver Sacks' memoir. Great directing by Penny Marshal and acting by De Niro. A Patient get across the message, the Panther and the staff figures out it alludes to the Rilke poem: The Panther His vision, from the constantly passing bars, has grown so weary that it cannot hold anything else. It seems to him there are a thousand bars, and behind the bars, no world. As he paces in cramped circles, over and over, the movement of his powerful soft strides is like a ritual dan
Rated 21 Dec 2006

Collections

Loading ...

Similar Titles

Loading ...

Statistics

Loading ...

Trailer

Loading ...