If Awakenings is a cure for Hollywood’s sexism, then it is, unfortunately, a cure which was painfully limited.

| Apr 22, 2024

Though the film is directed with elegant reticence by the gifted Penny Marshall, it's diminished somewhat by Zaillian's tissue-thin adaptation which relies heavily on formulaic comedy, on cliches of character and plot.

| Original Score: 2/4 | May 9, 2023

Awakenings suffers from false optimism and, in the end, is inconsolably sad. [Full review in Spanish]

| Jan 20, 2023

With stirring lead performances courtesy of Williams and De Niro, Awakenings is a beautiful and captivating film about making the most out of life.

| Oct 22, 2021

...another classic from the director, and a real tear jeaker as well.

| Feb 3, 2021

a curiously-underloved film... Awakenings will get a re-evaluation in the wake of Williams' passing, and that's great. It's just a tragedy it took a tragedy to precipitate it.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 17, 2014

Williams gives his best "straight" performance, shorn of all his marvelous manic vaudeville. The man he plays here is not a performer, which he was even in Dead Poets Society, but simply a man.

| Aug 15, 2014

Maybe life affirming, but hardly life-changing.

| Original Score: C- | Jan 15, 2012

| Original Score: B | Sep 7, 2011

Nonfunny Robin Williams role in moving story.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 22, 2010

A beautifully moving, life-affirming true story.

Full Review | Original Score: 9/10 | Jul 5, 2007

A potentially intriguing story, based on the actual experiences of Dr. Sacks, gets a characteristically middling, sentimental and uplifting from director Penny Marshall.

| Original Score: B- | Feb 1, 2007

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jul 7, 2005

Tour-de-force performances and one memorable storyline

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 10, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 29, 2005

I remember this film, which I saw 13 years ago, as a squishy article redeemed by two strong performances; I am not inclined to go back for a second opinion.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 2, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jul 16, 2004

Moving and over-sentimental - but Marshall's best film.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 5, 2004

Solid medical drama. Williams is terrific in a straight role.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | May 23, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Apr 21, 2004