Awakenings

Awakenings is a film from the 1990, directed by Penny Marshall. The film depicts Dr Malcolm Sayes portrayed by Robin Williams, about his experiences and challenges to attempt to treat patients that are deemed un-treatable catatonic for many years. Dr Sayes(Robin Williams) in the film shows signs that he is an extreme introvert that had trouble interacting with people in a social situation. This can be shown clearly when he applied for the a job at the psychiatric hospital, he looked rather uncomfortable when he was told that he was going to interact and treat living breathing human beings, another scene that show this perfectly is, when he was interacting with one of the patients Leonard Lowe (Robert De Niro) , He told him that he do not have a girl friend because he was very socially awkward and could not interact well with people.

What I found absolutely intriguing for this film is the whole interaction between Dr sayes (Robin Williams) with the patients and Leonard Lowe (Robert De Niro) shows the challenge between patient/clients with mental disorders and the doctors/psychologist. Some patients might think that they are cured and no longer need treatment despite the advise of doctors/therapists. It also shows the challenges that therapists/Doctor might face and accept that not all patients can be saved and although hope seems lose when treatment aren't working, and patient's life seemed meaningless to others, you should never give up on a life.

The films also depict several issues like how the world of medicine and treatment is not an easy job, it is not as simple as a treatment is found and then it is administered. Testing and experimenting are a big part to make sure the treatments are safe to be administered and to find out the side effects that it might have. Funding is another challenge for the administration of a certain treatment as a therapist/doctor has to convinces the people in power to fund the research as well and the administration of the treatment. This issue makes me wonder that how many treatment that could potential be a breakthrough to a certain mental disorder but was left aside because of lack of funding or opportunity.

The film shows many more issue and only a second viewing might I be able to voice it out clearly but overall the movie was very interesting, although the beginning, the pacing was a little show. Despite that, I really enjoyed the film and potentially going to view it a second time.