Review 759: Awakenings

Based on the non-fiction book Awakenings by Oliver Sacks; In 1969 and nuerologist Malcolm Sayer (Robin Williams) discovers the beneficial effects of the drug L-DOPA and administers it to a ward of patients who survived the 1919-1930 epidemic of encephalitis. Among these patients is Leonard Lowe (Robert DeNiro) who develops a friendship with Sayer. 

A man who made breakthroughs which while not all of them long term, led to the patients being treated more humanely. 

The score by Randy Newman is 

This is Robin Williams like you've never seen him before, he's quiet, he's shy, he's restrained but also brilliant and caring. The character of Malcolm Sayer is very clearly based on Oliver Sacks

Robert DeNiro, in a role that casts him against type, is simply mesmerising playing Leonard Lowe.   Despite his appearance as a human vegetable, Leonard is still there.