There is no such thing as a simple miracle.|Dec. 04, 1990|USA|120 Min.|PG-13
Genre: Drama
Description: In 1969, Dr. Malcolm Sayer, a dedicated and compassionate physician at a hospital in the Bronx, New York, works extensively with catatonic patients who survived the 1917–1928 encephalitis lethargica epidemic. Through his efforts, Sayer discovers that specific stimuli—such as catching a ball, hearing familiar music, being called by their name, or experiencing human touch—can temporarily break through the patients’ catatonic states. Among them is Leonard Lowe, who remains mostly unresponsive but begins communicating with Sayer using a Ouija board.
During a conference, Sayer learns about the drug L-Dopa and its success in treating Parkinson’s disease. Believing it could help his patients, he conducts a trial with Leonard, which yields remarkable results: Leonard awakens from his catatonic state. Encouraged by this breakthrough, Sayer seeks funding to administer L-Dopa to all his patients, hoping to bring them back to reality.
As Leonard adjusts to his new life, he develops romantic feelings for Paula, the daughter of another patient. However, he grows frustrated with the hospital’s restrictions and demands more freedom, even organizing a revolt. Sayer notices Leonard developing facial and body tics, which become increasingly difficult to control. Despite the initial success of L-Dopa, Sayer and the staff soon realize its effects are temporary. Leonard, the first to awaken, is also the first to show signs of regression, revealing the limitations of the treatment.
Cast director: Penny Marshall
Cast actor: Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, John Heard, Julie Kavner, Penelope Ann Miller, Ruth Nelson, Max von Sydow, Anne Meara, Dexter Gordon, George Martin
Original name: Awakenings