Awakenings (1990) - Penny Marshall

Oh lord this film had all the makings of pasteurized fluff, and after watching it I have seen nothing to convince me otherwise. Thank god the film avoids the misconception of quirky mental patients that had been plauging films for decades. However give an actor a few nervous ticks and he gets an Oscar nomination. Penny Marshall has made a few decent films in her time, so it seems negligent that this would be the only one to earn a best picture nomination. Now I don't know what exactly to say I disliked about the film, but there isn't much I can say I did like. A two hour self righteous wank fest. Based on a true story my ass. Many people sitll comment on the role reversals of DeNiro and Williams, and perhaps the film would have been better if these two would have played with type.

*Awakenings was nominated for best picture, best actor (DeNiro), and best adapted screenplay.