Awakenings Movie Review Essay

The movie Awakenings who was directed by Penny Marshal and lead by the actors Robert Denero and William Roberts, Robert Denero as Leonard Lowe and William Robert as Dr. Melcom Seyer. The book Awakenings the author is Oliver Sacks. The movie is about the doctor who applied in a hospital where he was assign in a ward full of catatonic patient. This paper will be presenting the curiosity of Dr. Seyer in order to find the cure of catatonic. The doctors in the movie where not dedicated to their work as much as Dr. Seyer. Dr. Seyer is passionate about his job. Dr. Seyer had done a heroic act. As a result, he gave the patients the experience to be able to see the world again.

“Awakenings” is a true-story based film made by Penny Marshall, produced by Walter F. Parkes and Lawrence Lasker, written by Steven Zaillian, and based on the book witten by Oliver Sacks, with the actors led by Mr. Robin Williams and Mr. Robert De Niro, both as the protagonist in the film. Their co-stars are Julie Kavner as the nurse who has a secret affection for Doctor Sayer, portrayed by Willams, Penelope Ann Miller as the daughter of a patient in the hospital and Leonard’s love interest, who is played by De Niro, and Ruth Nelson as Mrs. Lowe, Leonard’s mother. Most drama films portray common problems that make people reflect on their lives. However this film shows it’s viewers that for some people, life is more valuable.

Parkinson's Disease: The epidemic of children who fell asleep Awakenings, a film directed by Penny Marshall and released in 1990, follows the story of Dr. Malcolm Sayer (Robin Williams) as he interacts with catatonic patients infected by an epidemic of viral encephalitis earlier in life. Sayer begins his career at this hospital, where he integrates his passion for neurological research into an investigative approach to the treatment of his patients. However, he is met by initial resistance and apathy from his colleagues, who view the patients as essentially hopeless.

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.

Tim Burton popularly known around the movie industry and across the globe for having the most dark and quirky films of all time. From his 1990 classic Edward Scissorhands to his remake of a classic Charlie and the Chocolate factory. Keeping your eyes glued and focused on the screen is his main goal throughout each of these movies. To fabricate this essential ingredient Burton uses non diegetic sound, camera angles, and lighting to captivate the audience’s imagination and create an unrealistic atmosphere that only he himself can create.

One can’t be happy or attempt to be happy if that person is suffering depression; therefore, expressing agony is a starting point in achieving happiness. As Weiner also says, “A love of language may not guarantee happiness, but it allows you to express your despair eloquently, and that is worth something. As any poet (or blogger) knows, misery expressed is misery reduced” (Weiner 158). During his travel, Weiner discovers that in any language, there are more words describing sadness than words describing happiness. People tend to express their grief more strongly than their happiness. When depressed, they want to release that unhealthy emotion. They can either do it physically or emotionally, by hitting a punching bag, breaking objects, cry

Throughout the movie “Awakenings” we have noticed the use of lighting changing in each scene competently to create a certain mood or to help the viewer to foreshadow. All through the film, we have met the two main characters Dr. Sayers and Leonard Lowe, who have a considerable impact on the story.

Michael J. Fox is an actor and a writer that was diagnosed at the age of 29 with Parkinson’s disease. When he found out he said, “It was the last thing I expected.” He speaks about his disease regularly and started the Michael J. Fox Foundation, whose goal it is to eliminate Parkinson’s disease. “It is the largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s Disease drug development in the world.” And because of this foundation, he was able to control his symptoms and side affects enough to go back to acting by finding a drug cocktail (The Biography of Michael J. Fox).

Analyzing the Literary Work Study of Kate Chopin’s The Awakening Setting and Its Significance In Kate Chopin’s The Awakening, the novel creates environments that contributes to the immense contrast between leisure and responsibilities with the settings. Grand Isle creates an “intimate and relaxed atmosphere” where the guests are free to be on the beach, swimming, and conversing with other guests without the stress of fulfilling duties (Novels for Students).

The 1990 film, Awakenings, which was directed by Penny Marshall, aimed to show the story of a doctor and how he coped up with the diseases of his patients. The neurologist, Dr. Malcom Sayer, did not just manifested his profession as a doctor but his relation to his patients as well. Another relationship can also be seen in the movie. The mother and child relationship between Mrs. Lowe and her son, Leonard, is very touching. The film has been auspicious in demonstrating the acceptance and love of a mother for his son despite his flaws and irregularities.

Robin Williams was dealing with Lewy Body Dementia. Dementia is a lack of or serious decrease in cognitive abilities caused by the death of brain cells (Whitworth 2). Some physical symptoms of LBD include, motor dysfunctions such as choking, repeated falls or fainting, muscle stiffness, tremor, and stooped posture (10). LBD also has mental symptoms such as depression, hallucinations, and anxiety ( 10, 11, 43). Causes of LBD include, microscopic Lewy bodies in the cognitive and motor areas of the brain (8).

The film 13th directed by Ava DuVernay targets an intended audience of the Media and the three branches of the United States government with an emphasis that mass incarceration is an extension of slavery. It is intended to inform viewers about the criminalization of African Americans and the United States prison boom.

Throughout the novels The Awakening by Kate Chopin and Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë being single or married are conditions that shape the lives of the characters. Both novels involve married couples that are dealing with a variety of problems. In Wuthering Heights, Old Cathy only married her husband, Edgar, for social and financial status. Her life is filled with old emotions and chaos once her true love comes back into her life. Mrs. Pontellier in The Awakening seems tired of being married to her husband and finds Robert more interesting. She wants to be a more independent woman, but her feelings for Robert are evident, much to the displeasure of Mr. Pontellier, causing tension in their marriage. Wuthering Heights and The Awakening focuses more on the inner workings of marriage, in relation to the marriages that were one-sided.

Leonard, however was the only one that hadn't had encephalitis lethargic, his symptoms showed up randomly. He had been a healthy boy of eleven until one day when his hand began experiencing extreme unsteadiness. Eventually he was unable to do anything for himself at all. Dr. Sayer, who notices the resemblance to Parkinson's, decides to treat the patients with L-dopa. He tests the drug on Leonard.

“Selma” in a perfect world, shows the reality of darker days long since past. In this story, you got a lesson of reassurances that its horrors will no longer be perpetrated, celebrated nor tolerated. This movie beam a spotlight on the stunted growth while shows the evolution of change. This movie is a spine-chilling reminder for those people who forget their history and also offers a blueprint not only of the past, but of the present.