Ma-chan's Coffee and Movies: "Awakenings" and the Relaxing Effects of Coffee
Hello, this is Marchin! I'm on staff, and a high percentage of my favorite actors are British!
This is the eighth installment of a column focusing on coffee in movies, and this time, it's from a film based on a true story...
The film I'm introducing is the 1990 American film "Awakenings."
This film, based on neurologist Oliver Sacks' medical non-fiction book "Awakenings," tells the story of patients afflicted with encephalitis lethargica, a form of encephalitis that has now mostly disappeared, and the doctor who devoted himself to saving them, as well as a brief miracle.
Let's take a look at how coffee appears in this film, where Robert De Niro's performance is astounding!
Click here for the column on the seventh installment of the series, "The Coffee Adventures": Marchin's Coffee and Movies: "The Coffee Adventures" and German Scenery
Synopsis of "Awakenings"
"Awakenings" is a 1990 American human drama directed by Penny Marshall, which was nominated for three Academy Awards.
The synopsis of "Awakenings" is as follows...
The story is set in 1969 in the Bronx, New York. Dr. Malcolm Sayer, a socially awkward physician, is assigned to a chronic neurological patient hospital where many patients suffer from severe neurological disorders and diseases.
Dr. Sayer has little clinical experience and would prefer to only conduct research without interacting with patients, but this is not possible. He struggles but seriously addresses his patients and dedicates himself to his work.
During these days, Sayer discovers that a patient who had been in a vegetative state, staring blankly for nearly 30 years, still had reflexes. He gathers patients with similar symptoms and begins to conduct various experiments.
Sayer notices that the normally motionless patients all react when stimulated by specific music or actions. Aiming for further recovery, he considers administering a new drug for Parkinson's disease to them.
Considering the drug's high cost, Sayer is only allowed to administer it to one patient. He chooses Leonard, the most severely ill male patient, for the new drug.
At first, the drug had little effect, but one night, it finally took effect. Leonard stood up on his own, awoke after 30 years, and exchanged words with Sayer, saying, "Everyone else is asleep, but I'm awake."
With the cooperation of other staff, Sayer subsequently administered the same drug to patients other than Leonard, and as expected, successfully awoke all of them from their long slumber. Leonard and the other patients experienced miraculous days, seeing a changed world and experiencing love they couldn't before.
However, that miracle did not last long...
...and so it goes.
It's a very touching work that shows Sayer, who had lived avoiding others, realizing the preciousness of life and the importance of family, lovers, and friends as he deepens his relationship with Leonard and the others.
Robin Williams' gentle acting and Robert De Niro's performance as he slowly succumbs to illness are masterful.
Coffee appears only briefly, but let's see how it's presented!
Coffee in "Awakenings"
In "Awakenings," coffee isn't a central focus, but it appears subtly in conversations and on screen, acting as a behind-the-scenes force that fills the small gaps between people.
In this film, coffee often appears in scenes where Sayer and Leonard are talking.
As Leonard awakens and interacts with Sayer, their relationship evolves from doctor and patient to one of friendship and trust.
Whether Sayer is counseling Leonard as part of his progress check, or Leonard is advising Sayer as a friend about his relationship problems, the two share calm moments with coffee in hand while they talk.
These scenes, where coffee fills the small pauses as they take sips between conversations or slurp coffee while listening, show how their relationship gradually deepens.
Another mention of "coffee" appears in a conversation between Dr. Sayer, who struggles with social interaction, and Eleanor, a nurse who supports and cooperates with him...
Dr. Sayer argues to the hospital that there's still hope for recovery for the patients in a vegetative state, but other doctors laugh at him as a dreamer. However, Eleanor empathized with him and actively helped with his experiments.
Eleanor tries to deepen her friendship with Sayer, who has just arrived. Coffee becomes the catalyst for this. Eleanor invites Sayer to "go for coffee," but Sayer, who is not good with social interactions, declines.
Later in the story, after interacting with Leonard and learning the wonderfulness of being alive, Sayer decides to live honestly with his feelings and resolve to close the distance with Eleanor. The opportunity for this is the coffee that almost became an opportunity before.
In the final scene of the movie, Sayer shouts from the hospital window to Eleanor, who is about to leave, "Let's go for coffee!" and invites her.
The movie ends with them walking side by side, and it's an ending that allows us to imagine a future where their relationship definitely grows closer, thanks to the important lessons Sayer learned from Leonard and the coffee that brought them together.
This film portrays coffee bridging the gap between people. If you focus on coffee while watching, you'll surely want to enjoy a slow conversation with your loved ones over a cup of coffee.
"Awakenings" and the Relaxing Effects of Coffee
When Sayer and Leonard are talking with coffee in hand, there's no distinction between patient and doctor; a relaxed atmosphere flows between them as close friends.
Here, I'll briefly explain the relaxing effects of coffee!
Coffee Aroma and Relaxation
When the human brain is relaxed, it emits alpha waves.
A study by Professor Yoshihiko Koga of Kyorin University measured brain waves and alpha wave values when smelling coffee grounds, distilled water, lemon oil, and other aromas. The results showed that the alpha wave values were highest when smelling coffee, proving coffee's relaxing effect.
What's interesting about this experiment is that even within the term "coffee aroma," the relaxing effects differ depending on the bean's origin and roast level.
According to Professor Koga's experiment, using six types of coffee aromas, only three of them showed an expected relaxing effect. The other half resulted in lower alpha wave values compared to distilled water.
Further experiments revealed that coffee aromas that did not show a relaxing effect, conversely, showed a significant activating effect on the brain.
Conversely, aromas expected to have a relaxing effect showed less activating effect on the brain. Professor Koga suggests that "coffee aroma" includes both those that relax the human brain and those that activate it, and it's important to use them according to their purpose.
Incidentally, the relaxing effect also seems to differ depending on the roast level; dark roast coffee aroma appears to be more effective than light roast coffee aroma!
Caffeine and Relaxation
Caffeine, a representative component found in coffee, also has research suggesting its potential relaxing effects.
In an experiment by Professor Masahiro Aomine of Nakamura Gakuen University, experimental mice were subjected to stress by immobilizing them twice. Between the first and second stress sessions, the mice were given coffee, caffeine, chlorogenic acid, or saline solution, and changes in brain neurotransmitters were observed.
When saline solution was given, the reduction in stress was minimal, whereas with coffee, the stress reduction was over 60%. With caffeine, an even greater reduction in stress was observed than with coffee, thus demonstrating the relaxing effect of caffeine.
Of course, if you don't consume it in moderation, it can have the opposite effect, but consuming coffee for relaxation is very effective.
Spending a leisurely time drinking coffee. This movie makes you feel how important such time is.
Just like Sayer and Leonard, if you spend time with someone enjoying the aroma of coffee, you will surely have a relaxed and wonderful time.