Leonard Lowe Character Analysis

Leonard Lowe, who was played by Robert de Niro, was one of the main characters in the movie ‘Awakenings’. As early as childhood he showed signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease which was later revealed as encephalitis lethargica. Acoording to the CNS forum (2000-2015) “Patients experienced a reduced level of awareness, possibly caused by swine influenza or some type of herpes-like virus. When they awoke, about half would have severe Parkinson's-like symptoms including rigidity, bradykinesia, slight tremors, and curious eye movements, so-called occulogyric crises - an uncommon symptom in idiopathic Parkinson's disease.” Dr. Sayer, who was played by Robin Williams, was applying for a job at the hospital where Leonard was confined, although

He was Dr. Sayer’s hope in finding out what the disease really is, what can be its cure, what are the effects of the drug and the consequences that comes with it. As quoted from Serrania, M. I., (2007): “At the end of the film, we see that Dr. Sayer is very affected by Leonard’s relapse, since the ties between the two have been strong.” Leonard was also, the one who helped Dr. Sayer in creating social relationship with other people which was deprived from him during his work with non-human subjects. According to Duffin, J. (1997) “Williams plays the bumbling but well-intentioned doctor with a measured grace…” Correspondingly, apart from discovering the disease and being able to provide another chance in living for the encephalitic patients, Dr. Sayer was also the one who gave emphasis on dedicating one’s professional work in serving other people for the benefit of oneself and others as well. His character gave emphasis that devotion and commitment in one’s work brings satisfaction; and from the satisfaction of acquiring knowledge, gratification is yield. Leonard Lowe showed that having hope was enough in succeeding, it may not always give out the best in a person but it can surely convey a good cause. When Leonard was woken from the long sleep of his condition he noticed that there was something wrong, he saw that because of this long sleep life was also long been taken for granted. In the course of

As early as childhood he showed signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease which was later revealed as encephalitis lethargica. Acoording to the CNS forum (2000-2015) “Patients experienced a reduced level of awareness, possibly caused by swine influenza or some type of herpes-like virus. When they awoke, about half would have severe Parkinson's-like symptoms including rigidity, bradykinesia, slight tremors, and curious eye movements, so-called occulogyric crises - an uncommon symptom in idiopathic Parkinson's disease.” Dr. Sayer, who was played by Robin Williams, was applying for a job at the hospital where Leonard was confined, although Dr. Sayer he was not able to work with human patients before he was hired because the hospital was currently understaffed. Sayer, despite the skepticism of his colleagues, was determined to uncover what really happened with the patients and be able to help them regain normality. He then met Leonard, who became the subject on testing the drug L Dopa. Leonard was able to be cured but as time passes by, Dr. Sayer realized that the drug was being tolerated by the body. Hence, Dr. Sayer still continued testing the possible long-term effects of L Dopa upon the request of Leonard. The two developed a patient-relationship friendship that both helped them find their selves; and create a bond of mutual familiarity and