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IMDbPro

L'éveil

Original title: Awakenings
  • 1990
  • Tous publics
  • 2h 1m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
171K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,059
140
Robert De Niro and Robin Williams in L'éveil (1990)
Official Trailer
Play trailer2:44
4 Videos
99+ Photos
Medical DramaBiographyDrama

Dr. Sayer is a pioneering neurologist who wants to take a risk and give his patients who suffer from encephalitis a drug used for Parkinson's Disease. He tries it out on one man who miraculo... Read allDr. Sayer is a pioneering neurologist who wants to take a risk and give his patients who suffer from encephalitis a drug used for Parkinson's Disease. He tries it out on one man who miraculously wakes from his perpetual catatonic state.Dr. Sayer is a pioneering neurologist who wants to take a risk and give his patients who suffer from encephalitis a drug used for Parkinson's Disease. He tries it out on one man who miraculously wakes from his perpetual catatonic state.

  • Director
    • Penny Marshall
  • Writers
    • Oliver Sacks
    • Steven Zaillian
  • Stars
    • Robert De Niro
    • Robin Williams
    • Julie Kavner
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.8/10
    171K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,059
    140
    • Director
      • Penny Marshall
    • Writers
      • Oliver Sacks
      • Steven Zaillian
    • Stars
      • Robert De Niro
      • Robin Williams
      • Julie Kavner
    • 307User reviews
    • 53Critic reviews
    • 74Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 Oscars
      • 6 wins & 11 nominations total

    Videos4

    Awakenings
    Trailer 2:44
    Awakenings
    Awakenings
    Trailer 2:43
    Awakenings
    Awakenings
    Trailer 2:43
    Awakenings
    Awakenings
    Clip 1:51
    Awakenings
    Clip
    Video 1:46
    Clip

    Photos113

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    + 107
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    Top cast71

    Edit
    Robert De Niro
    Robert De Niro
    • Leonard Lowe
    Robin Williams
    Robin Williams
    • Dr. Malcolm Sayer
    Julie Kavner
    Julie Kavner
    • Eleanor Costello
    Ruth Nelson
    Ruth Nelson
    • Mrs. Lowe
    John Heard
    John Heard
    • Dr. Kaufman
    Penelope Ann Miller
    Penelope Ann Miller
    • Paula
    Alice Drummond
    Alice Drummond
    • Lucy
    Judith Malina
    Judith Malina
    • Rose
    Barton Heyman
    Barton Heyman
    • Bert
    George Martin
    George Martin
    • Frank
    Anne Meara
    Anne Meara
    • Miriam
    Richard Libertini
    Richard Libertini
    • Sidney
    Laura Esterman
    • Lolly
    Dexter Gordon
    Dexter Gordon
    • Rolando
    Jayne Haynes
    • Frances
    Le Clanché du Rand
    • Magda
    • (as Le Clanche Du Rand)
    Yusef Bulos
    Yusef Bulos
    • Joseph
    Steven Randazzo
    Steven Randazzo
    • Luis
    • (as Steve Randazzo)
    • Director
      • Penny Marshall
    • Writers
      • Oliver Sacks
      • Steven Zaillian
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews307

    7.8171.2K
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    Featured reviews

    8gavin6942

    Oliver Sacks... Fictionalized

    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.

    Dustin Hoffman as an autistic man in "Rain Man"? You have nothing on Robert DeNiro as a post-encephalitic Parkinson's patient in this film! The tics, the walk, the antics... obviously I was not there when this actually happened, but I was impressed. Robin Williams did alright, too, playing it straight in one of his many turns as a doctor on film.

    I love Oliver Sacks and his writing, and I am glad they were able to make such a great adaptation that was both educational and entertaining (like his books are). Was the transformation so sudden and dramatic in real life? I have my doubts. But you have to cut corners to fit within two hours, so if this was one way, it is forgivable.

    Ebert gives this four of four stars. I think he was spot on with this one, and his longer-than-average review (stuffed with praise) is excellent.
    10poetic_dreams

    Tearjerker

    Besides when I was a child, I never actually cried during a movie. I've felt the urge to cry during some of them or had tears forming in my eyes, but they never really came out. Before I viewed "Awakenings," "Schindler's List" was the closest one to making me cry. Now, "Awakenings" has done it.

    Another great thing about "Awakenings," is that it truly teaches us to appreciate the simple things in life that we take for granted, from taking a walk by yourself or reading a book or even just brushing your teeth.

    I don't care what anyone says, both Robin Williams' and Robert DeNiro's performances were excellent and touching. I found this more touching then "Patch Adams." (But I guess "Patch Adams" is more of a Comedy/drama).

    Give this great film a try. Grab the Kleenexs during Robert De Niro's first dance.
    soranno

    Robin Williams Should Do Films Like This More Often

    "Awakenings" is a positively surprising career change of pace for its two leads, Robin Williams and Robert DeNiro. Based on a true story, the film is about the experimental drug invented by Dr. Oliver Sacks (Williams) and how it successfully awakened many paitents from catatonic states which had lasted as long as 30 years. DeNiro gives an especially moving performance as one of the paitents who also turns out to be one of the drug's biggest success stories. It's a real shame how overlooked this film turned out to be for Williams' career. He should be getting praised for his quality dramatic performances in films that matter like this one rather than for his inferior comedies. This film proves that Williams can successfully expand his range and be a great dramatic actor. The same goes for DeNiro and his performance here as well.
    9Peach-2

    A great film.

    Penny Marshall's Awakenings is a very emotional movie and heartwarming to say the least. Marshall has out done herself with this picture. The movie is a masterpiece. Robin Williams is great and Robert De Niro should have won the Oscar for his performance in this movie. De Niro hits every note perfectly and shows why he is the greatest actor of his generation. The movie is well written by Steven Zaillian and Penny Marshall did a super job. Bring a hankerchief to this one.
    10TheLittleSongbird

    Profoundly moving, intelligent and brilliantly performed

    Awakenings is a wonderful film for so many reasons. It is profoundly moving, intelligent and brilliantly performed, with a lot to recommend. It is exquisitely filmed, with wonderful cinematography and scenery, and the music is beautiful.

    The direction is rock-solid, the story is moving and compassionate and the screenplay is very intelligent and thought-provoking. Then there are the performances, both Robin Williams and Robert DeNiro give outstanding performances, and John Heard and Julie Kavner are equally impressive.

    Overall, if you like this sort of film, by all means see Awakenings, because I think you will like it. Equally if you love good acting and movies that make you think, Awakenings is also ideal. 10/10 Bethany Cox

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Prior to filming, the cast members portraying patients studied films of Dr. Oliver Sacks' post-encephalitis patients, and Robert De Niro and Robin Williams spent time with Sacks in the hospital observing him and his patients.
    • Goofs
      When Leonard gets the correct dose of medicine and 'awakens', he walks with almost no difficulty. If he had been catatonic for years, and even if he had been exercised regularly, he would not have been able to just get up and walk around so easily. His muscles would have atrophied. His voice would also have been raspy from disuse.
    • Quotes

      Leonard Lowe: We've got to tell everybody. We've got to remind them. We've got to remind them how good it is.

      Dr. Sayer: How good what is, Leonard?

      Leonard Lowe: Read the newspaper. What does it say? All bad. It's all bad. People have forgotten what life is all about. They've forgotten what it is to be alive. They need to be reminded. They need to be reminded of what they have and what they can lose. What I feel is the joy of life, the gift of life, the freedom of life, the wonderment of life!

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: The Rookie/Berkeley in the Sixties/Edward Scissorhands/The Grifters (1990)
    • Soundtracks
      I'm Always Chasing Rainbows
      Written by Harry Carroll and Joseph McCarthy

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    FAQ20

    • How long is Awakenings?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 20, 1991 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Despertares
    • Filming locations
      • Enid A Haupt Conservatory, New York Botanical Gardens - 200th Street & Southern Boulevard, Bronx, New York City, New York, USA(Botanical Gardens)
    • Production companies
      • Columbia Pictures
      • Parkes/Lasker productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $31,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $52,096,475
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $417,076
      • Dec 25, 1990
    • Gross worldwide
      • $52,096,475
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h 1m(121 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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