Awakenings: When a small miracle helps spark hope for a real awakening to life...
Most of you already know that I am a child of the 90s.
I love everything about that era—the music, the people, the activities, the upbringing, and especially the cinematic gems that showcased the best actors who were able to bring stories to life on the silver screen.
Following on from my last article about waking up in the summer, I remembered an older film that ties in perfectly with this and explains such an awakening in the bright colors of life.
(I must add, however, that you will definitely need a supply of tissues.)
It is rare in cinema that a film not only tells a story, but also awakens something inside you. Penny Marshall's 1990 masterpiece, Awakenings, based on the true memories of renowned neurologist Dr. Oliver Sacks, is one of those deeply human films that not only entertain but also heal.
It reminds us what it means to truly live and truly care. Thirty-five years later, its message is more important than ever.
A film that touches the soul
Set in the late 1960s, Awakenings tells the amazing true story of Dr. Malcolm Sayer (played by Robin Williams), a gentle, socially awkward neurologist loosely inspired by Dr. Oliver Sacks.
After being assigned to a Bronx hospital full of catatonic patients—victims of an unknown form of encephalitis that has trapped them in time for decades—he makes a groundbreaking discovery. Using the then-experimental drug L-Dopa, he manages to temporarily "awaken" the patients and return them to consciousness after a lifetime spent in immobility.
Among them is Leonard Lowe (Robert De Niro in one of his most moving roles), who wakes up after 30 years in a catatonic state. What follows is not only a medical breakthrough, but also a touching dance between the fragility of life and the miraculous beauty of the present.
The film is not about science. It is about humanity, connection, time, and what it means to be truly alive.
A real awakening: For us, not just for the patients
Leonard has a quote that touches the heart:
"We have to remind them how good it is... how good it is to be alive."
This sentence is not just for the nurses and doctors in the film. It is for us, the audience. The film Awakenings gently reminds us of what we often forget: the miracle of everyday life. The rustling of trees. The taste of morning coffee. The sound of someone's voice saying your name.
We often go through life as if in a trance, numbed by routine, worries, or the noise of the world. This film is a call to awaken. Not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually.
The real story behind the scenes
This is not fiction—it is based on the real experiences of Dr. Oliver Sacks at Beth Abraham Hospital in the Bronx. His patients survived an epidemic of lethargic encephalitis in the 1920s, but fell into decades of unconsciousness. In 1969, Dr. Sacks administered L-Dopa to his patients, and those who had been practically "frozen" suddenly began to show signs of life.
However, their awakening was tragically temporary. Many returned to their original state. But what was important—and what is important to this day—is the humanity they experienced, even if only for a short time. It was a reminder that even a single conscious moment of real life is more powerful than decades of mere existence.
The beauty of the incidental: Finding meaning in the fleeting
The beauty of the film Awakenings lies not in its medical plot, but in its subtle emotional truths. The film shows us what I like to call incidental beauty—the side effects of love, care, and kindness. When Dr. Sayer fights for his patients—not because he has to, but because he chooses to—he gives them more than just treatment. He gives them dignity.
And when Leonard fights for independence, for a walk in the park, for music, for love, he becomes a mirror of our own forgotten desires.
We all long to be seen, heard, understood. Sometimes healing doesn't come in the form of medicine. Sometimes it comes in the form of a hand that refuses to let go, a voice that says "I'm still here," a person who believes in you when no one else does.
How can this film really change your life?
1. Be present...
Ask yourself: When was the last time you really felt the sun on your skin or listened to the laughter of someone close to you? This film encourages us to savor the moment—not just survive it.
2. Don't underestimate the power of care...
Whether you're a nurse, a teacher, a parent, a friend, or a stranger, your kindness can be a lifeline. You never know when your attention might be a miracle for someone else.
3. Pursue passion, not perfection...
Dr. Sayer wasn't a charming hero — he was clumsy, insecure, and often afraid. But he had a heart. This film is a challenge to people who dare to care in a world that often discourages them from doing so.
4. Savor fleeting joys...
Leonard's awakening was temporary, but he danced. He smiled. He fell in love with music. It was real. And in life, the shortest moments sometimes leave the deepest marks.
A must-see for those searching for meaning
If you are drawn to true stories, dramas that touch the soul, or films that make you think about what is important in life, then Awakenings is a must-see. It is a film that does not shout, but whispers deeply, long after the credits have rolled.
Immerse yourself in your emotions, rethink the meaning of your life, and look at the people around you as miracles in the making.
Awaken to the life you are living...
In a world full of noise, chaos, and distraction, Awakenings is a gentle but urgent call to awareness. It is about the beauty of vulnerability, the courage of compassion, and the sacredness of life—even when it is difficult, even when it is fleeting.
As Dr. Sayer says at the end:
"The human spirit is stronger than any drug. And that's what we need to feed."
So let's feed our souls. Let's be aware of each other. Let's live as if we've awakened.
If this film has touched you, share it not only with your eyes, but with your soul. Let it open doors in your life—doors to deeper experiences, richer relationships, and a renewed sense of wonder at this chaotic but beautiful thing we call life.
You are alive. Don't forget to feel it.
Did you have the opportunity to see the film? What did it leave you with, and how do you view life today?
Write your impressions in the comments...
