"Awakenings" is a 1990 film directed by Penny Marshall, based on the memoir by Oliver Sacks. The story follows Dr. Malcolm Sayer, played by Robin Williams, who discovers a treatment for patients in a catatonic state due to the effects of the 1920s epidemic of encephalitis lethargica. The film focuses on the experiences of one patient, Leonard Lowe, portrayed by Robert De Niro, who awakens after decades of being unresponsive. As Leonard begins to experience life again, the film explores themes of connection, the human spirit, and the impact of medical advancements on patients and their families.