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Photo © The Weinstein Company
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Awake
Thriller
1hr 24 mins.
November 30th, 2007
MPAA: R for language, an intense disturbing situation, and brief drug use
The Weinstein Company
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Starring: Hayden Christensen, Jessica Alba, Terrence Howard, Fisher Stevens
Directed By: Joby Harold
Produced By: Joana Vicente, Jason Kliot, John Penotti, Fisher Stevens
Screenplay By: Joby Harold
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Reviewed
By: Wellington Lee
Rated 2.93/5
No press or promo screens. Review uploading week after opening 12/3.Thank you for your patience and emails/questions.
In a Nutshell:An inventive thriller, that puts a new wrinkle on 'near death', experiences.A 22 year old 2nd
generation billionaire business prodigy and Mama's boy,needs a transplant for his diagnosed, weak heart.As the opening
titles alledge,statistics point to patients feeling pain or actual awakening, in about 30,000 operations a year. Clayton
experiences this,with a giant dollop of thriller plot and twists.He flashes back to his girlfriend,then Mom,when the Docs
simply cannot hear him, or see his tears. Alba's acting is improving dramatically with each film, as she engagingly portrays
his secret(from Mama)fiancee.Matriarch Olin conveys her domination and buddy to her son, with perfect facile confidence and
class. Howard uses that sensitivity and empathy, to move along writ/dir.Harold's twists.But thoracic(heart)surgeons, just
aren't that touchy feely(he's like a Godfather to Clayton).Plenty of holes, like people walking into a pretty calm surgical
area.But the core fear we all have of "going under", and solid character acting by Stevens, McDonald playing Docs,should
keep most save for surgical area health care workers, gripping their seats.
Critic's personal note:My own Dad was a surgeon.It happens, though rarely.He avoided certain anesthesiologists,
because of their fears sedating higher risk patients.Some had patients awaken mid-operation.Adding to the surgery stress,
and patient risk.I felt pain during a recent colonoscopy,when I was grilled by the pre-op nurse so aggressively, that my
defensive reaction probably made the Doc order a lighter anesthesia.I can remember/almost feel that pain,to this
day.
Why no pre-release reviews, note:While the distributors'(in this case:The Weinstein co.)mostly don't bother to day
press or press/promo screen features to avoid withering reviews of an inferior product, the line here was that they didn't
want reviews to reveal spoilers. No widely read or respected critics and competent writers do that.Period.
Acknowledgement: Thanks to anesthesiologist friend Dr. Tom W., who helped with questions. |
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