Loved the movie, loved DDL's performance.
This is a tangent.. and what I'm sure is a 'failing' on my part.
I have never thought roles in which extraordinary physical or mental hardships were present that difficult to 'perform', or 'act'. Thus... I almost never view those roles and then include them on my 'best acting performances' list. That isn't fair of me.
Loved the movie Awakenings... and the acting.... but don't consider DeNiro's role 'great'.
there ARE exceptions, of course, as there always are. - JamesJM