 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Awakenings
- Review Date: May 19, 2003
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 1990
Common Sense Media says
Robin Williams plays it serious in moving true story.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is a moving story and may be tough on sensitive viewers.
What's the story?
Shy neurologist Malcolm Sayer (Robin Williams) is assigned to work with a group of catatonic patients who, ever since an epidemic of encephalitis ("sleeping sickness") decades before, have not spoken or appeared to understand anything that was going on around them. Everyone else has given up hope, but Sayer notices they have reflex reactions and believes that new medication for Parkinson's disease may help. His superiors object, but he gets permission to try it on one patient, Leonard Lowe (Robert De Niro). At first, there is no reaction, but soon Leonard "awakens." His transformation is so thrilling that Malcolm is easily able to get permission and funding to treat the other patients, and the results are amazing. But eventually, Leonard becomes hyperactive, angry, and ridden with tics. The medication's side effects begin to overwhelm him. Malcolm sees that he is losing Leonard, and the other patients know that it must soon happen to them, too.
Is it any good?
Directed by Penny Marshall, Awakenings is based on the book of the same name by neurologist Oliver Sacks, who was the basis for the character Malcolm Sayer. It is a powerful and moving story, brilliantly acted and directed. Like Malcolm, we can all use a reminder to appreciate the pleasures of being alive, including the pleasures that require us to take risks.
Teens will enjoy reading the Sacks book, and some of his others, especially The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and An Anthropologist on Mars, with astonishing and compassionate descriptions of some of his neurology patients.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about what they think the neurologist means when he says, "because the implications of that would be unthinkable?" Why would he prefer to believe that the patients are not aware of what is going on? Were you surprised by the way any of the patients reacted to being "awakened?" Which reaction was most like the way you think you might feel? Why is it hard for Malcolm to interact with other people? How does Leonard change the way Malcolm behaves? Why does the staff treat the patients differently after the awakening, even when they go back the way they were?
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Amazing
I have viewed this film twice; once several years ago, and again a few days ago. It is a very touching movie with incredible acting.
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Kid, 11 years old
January 8, 2010
AGE
so emotional a guy in my class cried when they saw leonard's mom saw him awaken. love it
What other families should know:
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Good Psychological Medical Drama
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Kid, 10 years old
December 1, 2009
AGE
awesome!!!
good but words like f--k and d-m
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Teen, 14 years old
April 21, 2012
AGE
Sad but moving.
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Adult
April 15, 2012
AGE
This is not an awakening you want your 10+ child to have!
As an adult, I was moved,scared, and left encouraged. Penny Marshall did an excellent job at making a great movie about a often ignored subject, mental illness. I do not agree that children 10+ should be watching this movie though. It doesn't end nicely, and even as an adult, I was often scared by the maturity of the subject matter. This video is best watched with older adults, so they know what kind of stuff has gone on in this area.
What other families should know:
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| Studio: | Columbia Tristar |
| Director: | Penny Marshall |
| Cast: | Julie Kavner, Robert De Niro, Robin Williams |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 121 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 17, 1990 |
| DVD release date: | September 10, 1997 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
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