rating:
(out of
4 stars)United States; 2007
Directed by Joby Harold; produced by Jason Kliot, John Penotti, Fisher Stevens, Joana Vicente; written by Joby Harold
Starring Hayden Christensen, Jessica Alba, Terrence Howard, Jessica Alba, Christopher McDonald, Sam Robards
Best is to know nothing about 'Awake' before watching it. Although I will not spoil things here, it is best to read this after watching the film, even though I only recommend it a little. It has quite some surprises, not all of them predictable. The gimmick however – Hayden Christensen fully aware of his environment while having heart surgery – is not necessary for the story, something most will realize after the credits roll.
That said, parts of the film including those I will not speak about, do work. Christensen is Clay Beresford, a really rich young guy with a heart problem. Dr. Jack Harper (Terrence Howard) is his surgeon since Clay’s first heart attack. Lena Olin is Clay’s mother, widow, who does not approve of Sam (Jessica Alba), the girl Clay is in love with and marries the night he will have his heart surgery, which he goes through while hearing his surroundings and feeling the tools that slowly take out his heart.
The main problem I have with the film is the thing I mentioned above. The gimmick is really only there because it has not been done in a film like this. Stories about the phenomenon are getting more familiar, so a film needs to be made about it. It is all executed in a pretty believable way, but it serves no purpose, except for revealing the surprises when the story thinks they are most effective.
In the end 'Awake' does not bore, even fascinates quite a bit. I thought I liked it, right until before I realized I was fooled without a reason. I recommend it for most of the journey, not for the destination, which for some is the most important part.