Factual error: After Robert De Niro awakens, Robin Williams takes him on a ride around New York and Robert is amazed by all the surroundings. The movie is set in the early 1970s, but you can see plenty of vehicles around from the time that the movie was filmed (1990). Notice the square headlights that originally appeared in the late 70's.

Awakenings (1990)
Ending / spoiler
Directed by: Penny Marshall
Starring: Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, Julie Kavner, Ruth Nelson
Genres: Drama
The drug wears off, and the patients all go back to their comatose state, including Robert DeNiro. Robbin Williams is nonetheless encouraged, since he at least discovered what the illness was. He finally invites the nurse out for coffee.
Arnprior
Nurse Beth: Dr. Sayer.
Dr. Sayer: What is it?
Nurse Beth: It's a fucking miracle.
Trivia: During the scene where Robin Williams (the doctor) has to restrain Robert DeNiro (the patient), Robin accidentally broke DeNiro's nose. DeNiro insisted that they continue with the filming until the scene was completed because he knew, from prior experience, that he wouldn't be able to film for at least a week, until the swelling and bruising went down. And DeNiro actually was glad it happened because it corrected the bump from the prior broken nose.
Question: Dr. Sayer turns down the date with the nurse and appears to live alone. Was he a recluse? Socially awkward?





Answer: Sayer suffered from extreme shyness. He later overcame it enough to ask Nurse Costello out for coffee.
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