Plot: What’s it about?
I jokingly say to my wife sometimes “Each day we live is one day closer to death.” I tend to think I find it humorous, but in truth it’s not a good way to approach life (or death). But, it’s also a fact – we’ve only got a definitive amount of time on this planet, so might as well make the most of it. I’m thankful that I’ve got the wit to say such things, to write, live life and so forth. And I can’t think what it’d be like to be like the character in Awakenings by Robert De Niro. To be…there, but nothing more. To be alive, but not really live. I imagine if that was me and I had the mental fortitude, I’d say “kill me, please.” Awakenings is a movie I’ve never seen. I’ve heard of it. And when I was working as a movie usher in high school, I’d see all the people come out of this movie with Kleenex. Not something I wanted to see, for sure. But here we are nearly four decades later and, well, the time has come.
The true-life story is portrayed by Dr. Malcolm Sayer (Robin Williams) as he interacts with catatonic patients infected by an epidemic of viral encephalitis. Unlike the run-of-the-mill physicians portrayed in the movie, Sayer tends to take on a more personal approach to his patients, namely Leonard (Robert De Niro). The patients are referred to as a garden as “all we do is feed and water them.” What a horrible way to live. But Sayer becomes a strong proponent for L-DOPA for his patients in catatonia. When initially administered to Leonard an “awakening” is observed in which Leonard literally starts to emerge from his state and actually experience life. Despite being initially promising for these patients, the development of dyskinesia and the psychological stress brought on by reentering the real world after years in a catatonic state caused the treated patients to revert back to a catatonic state. But the way this is portrayed by De Niro and the other patients makes it hard to watch with dry eyes.
It was a good time for both Williams and De Niro. Williams was coming off great success from Dead Poet’s Society, De Niro had had a string of hits, but would produce GoodFellas later this year. And we know this is a film in which Williams will be serious due to his beard. You think I’m kidding, but take a look at his films when he has them – it’s spot on. Oddly he’d play another real-life physician later in the 90’s with Patch Adams. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards with Best Picture (it ultimately lost to Dances with Wolves) Best Actor (De Niro would lost to Jeremy Irons in Reversal of Fortune) and Best Adapted Screenplay. It lost all three. But this did showcase the range of both actors. If you were tired of seeing Robin Williams ham it up and De Niro being a gangster, this showed that both really were/are talented. I don’t know if this is one I’ll watch all that often, but I’m sorry I waited this long.
Video: How’s it look?
Given that I’ve not seen this movie, a direct comparison to anything will be a waste of time. That being said, I’ve seen plenty of films from the era, so I can safely say that Sony’s new 4K restoration/disc has given the film a more modern-looking appearance. The film was intended to have a “dated” appearance even when it came out, so the wardrobes and such have aged better than when the film was originally released. Flesh tones seem warm and natural, detail has (obviously) been improved and the movie has a very “film like” look to it. Granted we know that Sony’s discs are second to none when it comes to their 4K releases and this is no exception.
Audio: How’s it sound?
What did surprise me was that this now has a Dolby Atmos mix. Again, having not seen this film in the past, I have no antecedent, but a drama from the early 90’s doesn’t exactly scream “next generation audio” to me. You? The vast majority of the film takes place in and around a hospital, so we won’t be subjected to our surround speakers going crazy with the ambiance. Randy Newman’s subdued, but capable, score sounds great. But what we do get is a nice, warm ambiance that’s sure to please.
Supplements: What are the extras?
- Making of Featurette – I’m not kidding. It’s actually labeled “Making of Featurette.” Nevertheless, it delivers on what it promises with some brief behind the scenes footage as well as a few snippets from the cast.
- Archival Interviews – Along the same lines is this segment which, again, delivers with some brief words from the cast and crew. It’s odd seeing a young-looking Robert De Niro and Robin Williams.
- Theatrical Trailer
The Bottom Line
This is one of those films that’s eluded me for, well, decades. And I don’t know why. To lose one’s mind must be one of the worst things that can happen but both Robin Williams and Robert De Niro play their parts to a tee. Sony’s new 4K disc has the disc looking and sounding great and the inclusion of the legacy supplements is nice as well.
