Awakenings 4K Review (Sony)

Awakenings is a 1990 drama executive produced and directed by Penny Marshall (Big, A League of Their Own, Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Renaissance Man, Riding in Cars with Boys, and The Preacher’s Wife). It was written by Steven Zaillian (Clear and Present Danger, The Falcon and the Snowman, American Gangster, The Irishman, Searching for Bobby Fischer, Schindler’s List, Mission: Impossible, Hannibal, and Gangs of New York). It’s based on the novel from author Oliver Sacks (At First Sight, Brilliant Minds, and The Music Never Stopped). It’s produced by Walter F. Parkes (Little Giants, Men in Black franchise, The Lookout, Small Soldiers, Twister, Gladiator franchise, Catch Me If You Can, Road to Perdition, Minority Report, and The Ring franchise). The estimated budget was $31,000,000 and it grossed $52,096,475 worldwide at the box office. Based on the true story of a maverick doctor and the patients whose lives he that changes forever. Dr. Malcolm Sayer (played by: Robin Williams from Good Morning Vietnam, Good Will Hunting, Dead Poets Society, The Fisher King, and Popeye) is a shy research physician who uses an experimental drug to “awaken” his catatonic victims of a rare disease that most of the staff already gave up on. Leonard Lowe (played by: Robert De Niro from Sleepers, Great Expectations, Silver Linings Playbook, Men of Honor, and Backdraft) was the first patient to receive the controversial experimental treatment. His awakening, filled with awe and enthusiasm ends up proving the rebirth for Sayer that he didn’t know that he needed. The exuberant patient reveals life’s simple but unutterably sweet pleasures to the introverted doctor. Inspired by Leonard’s stunning recovery, Sayer administers the drug to all of the other patients dealing with the same condition. Their unlikely friendship during this emotional journey starts to help everyone else get back into their lives after sleeping it away for years!!!! Awakenings should have been a major hit considering it had Robin Williams, Robert De Niro, and Penny Marshall all working together. It wasn’t a flop or anything but it didn’t make a big impact when it was originally released. It’s kinda forgotten at this point and it’s criminally underrated when it comes to the public. It’s influenced by the amazing real life events that made people believe in miracles. After having success with Big, Penny Marshall steps behind the camera once again for this medical drama. The script keeps itself very serious for the most part but it does have some hilarious thrown in every once in awhile. Originally, Bill Murray was considered for De Niro’s role but the studio didn’t want 2 comedians as leads in a drama so they went a completely different direction. I personally think it was a smart move because Robert De Niro gives one of his most underappreciated performances as Leonard Lowe. He got nominated for an Oscar for Awakenings but this one is never mentioned in his top 10. It’s a great character to get away from type casting because he was mainly playing tough guys or gangsters at the time. His transformation and character development is incredible in this. He’s my all time favorite actor, this is a unique addition to his filmography. Robin Williams is the actual lead here as Dr. Sayer, he flexes his acting chops in this drama. He may be known for being hilarious but he’s amazing in serious material like this. Awakenings is about humanity and kindness to others. Finding yourself again after forgetting how it feels to be alive. He’s a research and behind the scenes type of physician in the beginning but he’s forced to interact with real people with this new job. He goes from awkward to being social. He notices the senior doctors don’t seem to try anymore but he sees potential in all the patients. His chemistry is phenomenal with everyone in Awakenings. He alters anyone that comes in contact with him. He takes risks that could ruin his career but he does it for strangers that he barely even knows. I’m shocked that he didn’t even get nominated for an Academy Award because it’s one of the highest quality portrayals from 1991. The rest of the supporting cast includes Julie Kavner (The Simpsons), Penelope Ann Miller (Carlito’s Way), John Heard (Home Alone franchise), Bradley Whitford (The West Wing), Max Von Sydow (Minority Report), Peter Stormare (Fargo), Vin Diesel (Guardians of the Galaxy franchise), Vincent Pastore (The Sopranos), Charles Keating (The Thomas Crown Affair), John Christopher Jones (Moonstruck), Steve Vinovich (Mannequin), Keith Diamond (Dr. Giggles), Mary Alice (The Matrix Revolutions), Gwyllum Evans (Crocodile Dundee), Steven Randazzo (Jungle Fever), Le Clanché Du Rand (Sleepless in Seattle), Richard Libertini (Popeye), Alice Drummond (Ace Ventura: Pet Detective), Judith Malina (The Addams Family), Barton Heyman (The Exorcist), George Martin (Dead Poets Society), and Anne Meara (Archie Bunker’s Place). Awakenings is loaded with skilled character actors, most will be recognized from bigger projects. Julie Kavner proves that she’s more than Marge Simpson here, she deserves more respect as Eleanor Costello. John Heard just got done being the villain in Penny Marshall’s previous movie Big and he’s basically the same in this, he’s the main trying to stop these trials trying improve the patients lives. The stunning Penelope Ann Miller is extremely important to Leonard Lowe character, she brings out a completely different side to him and gives him some hope in the romance department that he’s never really experienced. Awakenings is very touching with it’s genuine compassion and all of it’s human interactions. It’s a little sad at times but everyone gets a legit better experience from these interesting scenarios. It stays true to it’s the real life events so it doesn’t end as happy as most mainstream films would probably finish but it’s honest so I appreciate it not changing just for a bigger turnout. It still holds up after all these years. It’s a variety of mixed emotions that’s entertaining, STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!!!! Let’s discuss this high definition presentation and special features from Sony Pictures! This 2160p (1.85:1) transfer with Dolby Vision and HDR10 is from a brand new 4K restoration from the original camera negative for it’s 35th anniversary. I’ve previously owned Awakenings on VHS, DVD, and Blu Ray over the years so I’ve seen this in several different versions so it’s crazy to experience it in it’s sharpest possible quality because it damn near feels like seeing it for the very first time. It’s a massive upgrade compared to the past. This is one of those catalog titles that I was hoping would get this kind of treatment at some point. It has a few audio options which includes English: Dolby Atmos, English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1, English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, and English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 tracks on the UHD. Both the Dolby Atmos and Dolby TrueHD are brand new to this home video release. You would think it’s automatic but a good amount of 4K improvements skip audio for some reason. Not here, these tracks being out everything when it comes to sound. It’s not a thriller, action packed, or anything like that but it still works in places especially the entire score from the legendary Randy Newman (Toy Story franchise, The Natural, Parenthood, Maverick, Michael, Pleasantville, and Monsters Inc.). All of the dialogue is crisp, the drama is elevated, and the music has a huge boost to it. It has English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles. It has the older little over 6 minute “Making-Of-Featurette”. It has interviews with Penny Marshall, Robin Williams, and Robin Williams. It goes over it’s story. It highlights the cast and crew for it. They chat about the real life events. De Niro goes over his research and preparation for the role. The two main actors show their appreciation for each other and they share their experiences for Awakenings. It has various clips, outtakes, and behind the scenes footage here. It has the almost 9 minute “Archival Interviews with Cast and Crew”. It’s extended conversations with De Niro, Williams, and Marshall from the other extra before this. Plus it has additional interviews with D. Lawrence Lasker, Oliver Sacks, and Walter F. Parkes. De Niro brings up that he wants to direct at some point. Williams goes the miracle and the mannerisms of his character. He tells a hilarious story where he was crying from the script on a plane and a passenger was worried about him. Marshall breaks down the performances, characters, and she talks about directing 2 of the best actors around. It has the “Theatrical Trailer” for Awakenings. None of these were on the previous home video release so it’s really cool to see on here. It comes with a slipcover and a digital code. It’s available everywhere including MovieZyng.com, CHECK IT OUT!!!!