Awakenings

Awakenings

Dr. Malcolm Sayer, a shy doctor and research scientist, decides at his own peril to try a new, experimental, untested drug to treat comatose patients. And a miracle happens: the patient wakes up after a thirty-year sleep to look at the world for the first time. Doctor and patient become friends. Through this friendship, Dr. Sayer becomes a braver, more open person, and Leonard, his patient, learns the simple joys of life. Inspired by such a miraculous recovery of his patient, the doctor gives this drug to other patients as well... The film is completely based on real events that took place in 1969-1970 with the neurologist Oliver Sachs, who later wrote a memoir about it.