Awakenings (1990)

User Review

• 

  Barneyonmovies

  8 / 10

  WHAT I LIKED: 'Awakenings,' is a touching depiction of an inspiring true story that's used to transcend a beautiful little message of its own. Yes by exploring characters who come out of a fairly lifeless state see the world for the first time, director Penny Marshall and writer Steven Zaillian build a film that uses its true story to good effect to encourage the appreciation of the simplicities of everyday life. This wouldn't be possible however if the character portrayals hadn't brought it all to life in such an engaging way, and there the credit lies in the hands of Robert De Niro who does astounding work in a difficult role, and Robin Williams who perfectly plays an unusually subdued character with a big heart.
  WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: It is a little melodramatic and soppy at times, but then that's to be expected with Marshall at the helm.
  VERDICT: It's always nice to see a true story brought to life in a way that unlocks a neat little message, and 'Awakenings,' does that perfectly with amazing performances from De Niro and Williams.

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