Awakenings 4K 1990

Dr. Sayer, with virtually no experience working with living people, finds himself in a hospital for the “chronically ill”—terminally ill patients who resemble frozen statues. Among these patients, who seem to be in a trance, Leonard stands out—he has been confined to a wheelchair for thirty years. He cannot walk, talk, or move... But unexpectedly, the doctor learns about an experimental drug that miraculously puts Leonard back on his feet...

For the first time in 10 years, I had tears in my eyes while watching. I have never seen such a touching, poignant story told so soulfully, honestly, and without embellishment. Filmed for people, not for awards or profit, but so that people could once again experience real feelings while watching, forgetting that the actors on the screen were experiencing, rejoicing, and grieving with them, laughing and crying with them.

Speaking of the acting, it must be said that Robert De Niro demonstrates a simply sky-high level of talent here—we don't see Raging Bull or Vito Corleone (as is often the case when watching films with actors we remember for a particular role), no, we see Leonard Lowe—a man suffering from a terrible disease that has torn him away from his normal life. It doesn't matter who won the Golden Globe or Oscar that year, De Niro's performance is beyond any award. As is Williams' performance, of course, his work is not as complex or shocking, but it is so touching and true that it is impossible not to empathize with his character.

The rest of the cast also deserves mention—they all performed with incredible skill, as did director Penny Marshall, who gave us this stunning drama.

This is the kind of film that cinema was created for.