Awakenings Analysis

Awakenings was an awesome capturing of a real life occurence. I loved that it was based off of a book which was based on a true story about a man being "awakened" from a disease called encephalitis lethargica using the drug L-dopa.

I think what I liked the most about the movie was Dr. Sayer's (in real life, Oliver Sacks) determination in attempting to find a cure for these statute-like patients. When the other doctors laughed at him and thought his ideas and "findings" were silly, he continued his search. He looked up the drug, L-dopa, and the information about it. I find it poor on the other doctor's parts for at least not supporting Dr. Sayer or saying he might be on to something. He attended a seminar and even went as far as stalking the chemist in the bathroom. He increased dosages, against the pharmacists intentions, and found a temporary cure. I had to laugh when Dr. Sayer found that Leonard responded to his name and not the intensisty from the light turning on and off.

Even before Dr. Sayer was trying to find a drug cure, he was more concerned about the patient's well being. In Lucy's case, he thought she wanted a glass of water and was going to help her walk to the fountain. When he saw she wasn't drinking, he came across the idea and fact that it was the pattern on the floor that helped her in the continued walking. He went as far as continuing the checkered floor, just so she could get some water, or so Dr. Sayer thought.

I feel that not only was this movie about the patients having Encephalitis lethargica, but also a doctor's determination. I feel this was a great movie to watch and come to terms with certain illnesses. Not all diseases can be cured and the ones that can be, are only temporary. This was a great movie portraying this. It helped to put things in perspective, especially when it pertained to neurological disorders. The brain is just now starting to be undertood and there is still so much more to be learned before we can help others with problems.