Awakenings

Awakenings is a 1990 American drama film based on Oliver Sacks 1973 memoir of the same title. It tells the true story of British neurologist Oliver Sacks, fictionalized as American Malcolm Sayer portrayed by Robin Williams, who, in 1969, discovered beneficial effects of the drug LDopa. He administered it to catatonic patients who survived the 191728 epidemic of encephalitis lethargica. Leonard Lowe played by Robert De Niro and the rest of the patients were awakened after decades of catatonia and have to deal with a new life in a new time. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards.

In 1969, Dr. Malcolm Sayer Robin Williams is a dedicated and caring physician at a local hospital in the New York City borough of The Bronx. After working extensively with the catatonic patients who survived the 19171928 epidemic of encephalitis lethargica, Sayer discovers certain stimuli will reach beyond the patients respective catatonic states actions such as catching a ball, hearing familiar music, and experiencing human touch all have unique effects on particular patients and offer a glimpse into their worlds. Leonard Lowe Robert De Niro proves elusive in this regard, but Sayer soon discovers that Leonard is able to communicate with him by using a Ouija board.After attending a lecture at a conference on the subject of the LDopa drug and its success with patients suffering from Parkinsons Disease, Sayer believes the drug may offer a breakthrough for his own group of patients. A trial run with Leonard yields astounding results Leonard completely awakens from his catatonic state. This success inspires Sayer to ask for funding from donors so that all the catatonic patients can receive the LDopa medication and experience awakenings back to reality. ........

Source: Wikipedia