This movie, “Awakenings,” which came out in 1990, centers on a reserved physician portrayed by Robin Williams who begins working at a Bronx hospital in 1969. There, he cares for numerous individuals left unresponsive following an encephalitis outbreak that happened between 1917 and 1928. He tries a new medication with the intention of restoring them. Robert De Niro takes on the role of his most significant patient, Julie Kavner is his nurse, John Heard plays his supervisor, and Penelope Ann Miller appears as someone he might have a relationship with. The story draws from Oliver Sacks' 1973 memoir, also titled "Awakenings," which recounts the actual events that unfolded during the summer of ’69. As a film set in a hospital focusing on sick people attempting to heal, it shares similarities with movies like “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (1975) and “Instinct” (1999), though it doesn't quite reach their level of engagement. The movie struggles to develop much emotional depth beyond eliciting sympathy for the patients and a desire for their recovery. Certain plot points feel too obvious, such as Leonard’s name appearing on a bench and the scene involving a cup of coffee. Nevertheless, I believe this is an important story, and I'm glad I saw it; it just feels somewhat inflated in its reputation. The film has a running time of 2 hours and was filmed in Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens, New York City. GRADE: C+

Source on TMDB