Though the topic is not that pleasant, Awakenings is a very enjoyable and educational movie. Based on a true story, it is set in New York City in the early 1900's and is about the devastation caused by the encephalitis epidemic. Robin Williams gives a superb performance as a doctor in a mental hospital who strives to not only save but also give some quality of life to patients who are stricken by the illness. Robert DeNiro also gives a sterling performance as one of the patients Robin Williams treats. It's a must see for all interested in good acting and those who want to learn about mental health illnesses. I applaud Robert DeNiro and the other minor characters for their work and particularly for Robin Williams for his different role- we think of him as an extrovert and a comic but in this superb performance, he played a very introverted almost shy doctor and does and outstanding job