During a promotion for their new film, director Penny Marshall and actor Robin Williams said they were working on a period piece that takes place in a menstrual institution. The film they were talking about of course is the new picture “Awakenings” co-starring academy award winner Robert DeNiro.

The film, though does not have the same oddball attitude as what they said back in the first paragraph. In fact the film has quite the opposite attitude. It is a very touching film that makes one realize just how fragile life is and how important it is to enjoy it. Sure that is a cliche that everyone is sick of hearing but when done well like in this film, one can’t help but to believe it.

The film is based on the novel by Oliver Sacks M.D. which chronicles the story of how in the summer of 1969, patients who were newly diagnosed as post-encephaltic Parkinsonian were administered a new experimental drug L-DOPA and were “awakened” in a whole new world.

Robin Williams overacts a bit in his role of Dr. Malcolm Sayer, a reclusive neurologist who gets a job at Bainbridge Hospital in the Bronx. Even so, it still doesn’t take too much away from the film and still is good contrast to DeNiro’s character, Leonard Lowe, who is he first patient he revives.

Throughout the movie, Leonard goes out to rediscover life with a reluctant Dr. Sayer going along. When the other patients are revived as well, the entire hospital looks in awe at their energy for life.

Film is definitely one of those feel good movies and has you caring for the characters throughout. The film does tend to drag a little bit towards the middle when Leonard tries to get released from the hospital to go out and fully explore the world. Otherwise, the flaws are small, and it is still a good film. Grade: B+