Customer Reviews
no such thing as a simple miracle - By: Red Rose, 21 Jul 2008 
A roller coaster of a film based on a true & haunting story. The brilliant Robin Williams (Dr Malcolm Sayer), takes up his new post at Bainbridge Hospital, only to discover a group of patients that have been in a semi-coma for several decades as a result of an epidemic in 1916.
With a new experimental drug he manages to awaken first Robert DeNiro (Leonard Lowe), who he befriends, & then alll of the other patients. But is enough known about this previously untested wonder drug ?
Whilst teaching his patients the joys & pains of living, Dr Sayer awakens the long dormant feelings of love & friendship in himself.
Awakenings - By: D. Evans, 09 May 2008 Awakenings tells the true & poignant story of the relationship between a New York Doctor & the patient he helped 'awaken' from a catatonic state. Robin Williams plays Dr. Malcolm Sayer, a shy & introverted experimental scientist who is sent to Bainbridge Hospital in New York during the summer of 1969.
While working there he comes across a ward full of patients who seem to be living statues. They are the survivors of the 1916 'Sleeping Sickness' epidemic, & they have remained imprisoned within themselves for decades.
Dr. Sayer becomes attached to the youngest survivor, a man named Leonard Lowe, played brilliantly by Robert De Niro. He's convinced that there is a cure for their illness, & after a long period of research he develops an experimental drug which he tests on Leonard.
The results are miraculous & Leonard & the other patients are freed from their catatonic state. A friendship between the two men develop, & Sayer helps Leonard adjust to the new world around him,
while Leonard helps Sayer to overcome his social anxieties.
Despite the progress that Leonard makes, an unforeseen problem might bring his development to a halt. This problem threatens to shatter Sayer's friendship with Leonard, & make Sayer question his faith in himself & others.
The plot might seem sentimental or even mawkish, but the film is intelligent enough not to stray into those traps. Instead it remains a haunting & tragic story. It is made doubly poignant considering it's inspired by the memoirs of Dr. Oliver Sacks, & is based on actual events.
I first saw this film when I was very young, & although I forgot the film's name, the story stayed with me for many years. It was only recently that I got to see the film again, & it is even more powerful the second time round. Friends & family who have watched the film were also moved by it.
The acting by alll the cast is excellent, while the music & cinematography are very good. The film was nominated for many awards, & won several of them. It was even nominated for Oscars in the categories of Best Actor, Best Film & Best Screenplay.
The film is definately worth watching at least once, as it is a tragic but uplifting experience.
