Awakenings: "The Human Spirit is Stronger Than Any Drug"

Okay, so I finally got around to watching Awakenings last night. Man, Robin Williams can do it ALL, right? He's Dr. Sayer, this super shy doctor, and it's a total 180 from his usual manic energy, which is what makes it so compelling. I honestly didn't expect to be this moved! The scene where Leonard (De Niro! Acting GOLD!) first catches that ball... chills, people, CHILLS. It really felt like a miracle. But then... oh man, then reality sets in. That initial spark of "life" just shows how fragile it is. It's not just about waking them up, it's about what happens after they wake up, you know? And the frustration and anger that builds up in De Niro is palpable. "I have memories, I have feelings. I can't waste them!" You feel every second of that. He really goes there. There was also this quieter moment that stuck with me, when Dr. Sayer is just trying to connect with the patients before giving the drug. He's talking about rhythm and music, and it's like we're seeing the 'real' Sayer, not just the reserved doctor. It's a beautiful moment of human connection, just trying to find a shared language. All that being said, I'm not sure about the ending. It was realistic and sad, of course, but I wanted something more, even though in reality, there's no guarantee of a happy ending. Am I thinking about this movie too hard? Anyway, def worth a watch if you're in the mood for something heavy and thought-provoking. It's not exactly a feel-good movie, but it definitely makes you think about what it truly means to be alive and all the weird things that go along with it. "The human spirit is stronger than any drug..." Right? Powerful stuff. What were your thoughts on the ending? Did it work for you or did you want more closure?