Probably Penny Marshall's best directing job, and one of the best movies to be delivered by Hollywood in the 1990s, "Awakenings" shows major strengths in two actors of this era.

Robin Williams (Good Will Hunting) and Robert De Niro (Heat) star as true life personas Dr Malcom Sayer and his patient Leonard Lowe in this picture about finding and releasing the person within the ailment.

Dr Sayer, played by Williams, believes he finds a drug which can bring a handful of encephalitis patients out of their comatose like state. So, despite disbelief of his hospital's administration and aided by a very devoted staff, Sayer chooses one patient to experiment on, Leonard, played by De Niro.

Sayer continues to up Leonard's dosages until he miraculously awakens, hence the title. After the success of the experiment, Sayer inspires the hospital patrons to give extra, paying for the same treatment for 12 others. The picture follows Sayer's friendship with Leonard and Leonard's love for things he could not experience under his catatonic situation.

In the end, the picture shouts out a carpé diem type message. Take enjoyment in life's little details. This may have been done over and over, but this picture's characters are SO involving, the message seems as crisp as ever.

Williams, known for his over the top portrays in comedic films and other projects like "The Fisher King," steps outside himself to the other end of his acting spectrum. His portrayal of Sayer shows the doctor is not good around people, very timid, enjoys being alone and quiet. His relationship with Leonard helps him break out of this confined nature in the end.

De Niro, who earned an Academy Award® nomination with this work that year, is jaw dropping, especially as the character begins to regress into his original state, developing a tolerance to the experimental drug.

Penny Marshall's (Big, Riding in Cars With Boys) choices of what information to present to her audience visually is right on the money. I have only seen one of Marshall's pictures come as close to perfect as this one, being "A League of Their Own."

If you haven't seen "Awakenings," you need to modify your selection process when at the DVD rental store. The bad news is, I have yet to see a disc for this picture other than bare bones, just the feature in widescreen and that's it. There's not even a trailer.

Rent this quick, your life probably needs it. Or instead, just go buy it. You won't be disappointed.

Benn - Where's the Humanity?