Despite an engaging premise, the treatment of patients suffering from Encephalitis lethargica, Penny Marshall delivered a totally academic movie. The story of this doctor and its discovery is depicted without any ounce of originality, everything is predictable and unsurprising from start to finish, and while you were expecting a powerful drama, you just end up watching a dreadfully banal and uninspired movie where every scene seems more melodramatic than the one before thanks to the schmaltzy violins. Robin Williams does the job rather well but what is intriguing is the cast of Robert De Niro in such a limited role that doesn't fit him. Conclusion : not a bad movie, but not a good one either.
Review of Awakenings
