Awakenings Movie Review | Common Sense Media

by James K. Kunkeltech for kids

Common Sense Media Review

By Nell Minow

,
based on child development research. How do we rate?


age 10+







Robin Williams plays seriously in a touching true story.


age 12+







Based on 3 parent reviews

Spencer H.

March 6, 2024


age 11+







It could really be a PG movie if it weren’t for one f word

I absolutely love this movie and honestly, this could actually be a good PG family movie, but there is one f word and that is usually an automatic PG-13. There may be a few other swear words, but I don’t recall any of them being completely in PG territory. I would watch the movie first before watching with kids and if you skip the fi word and other potential profanity, this is actually a pretty clean movie that pre-teens could easily see. I actually personally think this is cleaner than Robin Williams’ previous Dead Poets Society movie which had some sexual situations more profanity and even a suicide, but still got a PG. Other than that one f-bomb, this isn’t nearly as edgy. PG-13 is deserved for the aforementioned profanity, but this is honestly one of the tamest and softest PG-13 movies I’ve seen. Some parts can also be emotionally intense and sad, but there’s nothing too overwhelming or disturbing for a pre-teen to deal with. No sexual nudity or innuendo. Of course, the subject of the film is a drug that revives patients from a comatose state, but these are not illegal drugs and should not be a problem. There are also great messages. I’d say this is one of De Niro and Williams’ cleaner films, except for that one f bomb. If you can skip or ignore it there shouldn’t be anything else to offend.

BestPicture1996

April 22, 2016


age 13+







The fine duo performs, stuck with sentimentality

A little research will prove that this was a successful Oscar-bait film: it was up for Best Picture among giants like “Dances with Wolves” and “The Good Guys.” Another ultra-sentimental date night favorite “Ghost” was also in contention for the award. While this isn’t quite so bleak, it does have your midwives: an Oscar winner playing a man with the disease, Williams going against the grain as a shy, reticent doctor. If the human story didn’t shine so well, I would deduct even more points. It’s impossible not to smile when De Niro is able to use his two legs to get from one place to another. This isn’t either of the two leads’ best films, although De Niro gives an outstanding performance as Leonard Lowe’s recovering encephalitis victim, not only nailing the tics and the speech, but also the man’s soul. Williams is wonderful, and even in a quiet role his explosive humor seeps through in small places if you look closely. It’s like a much better, awarded Lifetime movie.

What is the story?

Shy neurologist Malcolm Sayer (Robin Williams) is assigned to work with a group of catatonia patients who, ever since the encephalitis (“sleeping sickness”) epidemic decades earlier, have not spoken or seemed to understand anything going on around them. Everyone else has given up hope, but Sayer notices that they have reflexes and believes that new drugs for Parkinson’s may help. His superiors object, but he gets permission to try it on one patient, Leonard Lowe (Robert De Niro). At first there is no reaction, but soon Leonard “wakes up”. His transformation is so exciting that Malcolm can easily get permission and funds to treat other patients, and the results are incredible. But eventually, Leonard becomes hyperactive, angry and tic-ridden. The side effects of the drug are starting to get to him. Malcolm sees that he is losing Leonard, and the other patients know that this must happen to them soon.

Is it good?

Directed by Penny Marshall, Awakenings is a powerful and moving story, brilliantly acted and directed. The film is based on the book of the same name by neurologist Oliver Sacks, which was the basis for Malcolm Sayer’s character. Like Malcolm, we can all use a reminder to appreciate life’s pleasures, including the pleasures that require us to take risks.

Teenagers will enjoy reading Sacks’ book, and especially some of his others The man who traded his wife for a hat and Anthropologist on Marswith captivating and sympathetic descriptions of some of his neurological patients.

Talk to your kids about…

  • Families can talk about what they think the neurologist means when he says, “because the implications of that would be unimaginable?” Why would you rather believe that patients are unaware of what is going on? Were you surprised by the way any of the patients reacted to “waking up”? Which reaction was most similar to how you think you might feel? Why does Malcolm find it difficult to communicate with other people? How does Leonard change the way Malcolm acts? Why do staff treat patients differently after waking up, even when they go back to normal?

Did we miss something about diversity?

Research shows a connection between children’s healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in the media. That’s why we’ve added a new “Different Representations” section to our reviews, which will be published continuously. You can help us help children

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