Having an operation can be a daunting thing, it's filled with dread; new movie Awake focuses on two of the many things that can go wrong during an operation. Firstly being awake but paralysed during the operation, and secondly death when the operation goes wrong.


Clay Beresford (Hayden Christensen) is a wealthy young man, the heir to his father's fortune Clay spends his days saving businesses and helping those less fortunate. While it might seem like a dream come true Clay's life is not all perfect, he has an incredibly dangerous heart condition and is in desperate need for new heart. Clay is optimistic about his future operation because one of his best friends Dr. Jack Harper (Terrence Howard) is going to do the operation, and who better to have perform such an operation than your good friend.

Clay has a secret, one that he is finding incredibly difficult to keep. Perpetually looked after by his mother Lilith (Lena Olin), he has started dating her personal assistant Sam (Jessica Alba). Trouble being due to his mothers behaviour Clay has been unable to find the courage to come clean to his mother about the relationship, knowing that she very particular about whom he is allowed to date, often ordering checks on anyone he strikes up as little as a friendship with. The decision to marry Sam causes further reason for secrecy, but this is the last of Clay's problems; as the day of the operation draws near it seems that his dying heart is about to be the least of his problems.

Awake is an overly predictable thriller, I actually could foresee the movies conclusion 15 minutes in, and with a couple of points of refinement I was pretty much bang on. In fairness I watch more movies than the average person, so maybe this helped me to have my "vision". I felt that what was a really good opportunity was wasted on cliché, predictability, and to some degree a wafer thin plot wrapped in what looks like a complex puzzle.

My biggest problem with the movie is Hayden Christensen, to start with he looks just a little bit too shifty for my liking. Secondly the biggest factor of his performance, and what should have the greatest impact surrounds an out of the body experience in which as heart surgery takes place his character of Clay is awake. During the sequence Christensen experiences each aspect of the operation, from shaving to having his chest opened with a saw; the performance of the actor vocally is just horrifically bad, at one point he screams out and this is the most dreadfully bad and fake scream I think I have ever heard in a movie.

Alba on the other hand is in a completely different league getting the opportunity to display her full range of acting skills; superb is an understatement. I need to point out Alba has never really rocked my world as an actress, but on the basis of this role I'll be watching her closely; it's just a shame the subject matter is not a little stronger.

Now if you have not had the blessing of second sight like I did, I can imagine that you might find Awake quite a refreshing movie, though I do believe you'll agree with me when it comes to Christensen's performance. Awake is like two very different beasts joined at the tail, on one side it's a tale of forbidden romance, on the other side it's a slightly sick thriller. What Awake succeeds on is pulling all the pieces together in time for the end.

Awake looks the part, it's very clean and crisp; it has some incredibly glossy moments that lift the movie into real big budget scale. It's not necessarily a big budget movie however it looks as big as it could. There are some nice moments of creative camerawork, and some great attention to detail.


While Awake passed the time I'd certainly not have been happy to have paid good money to see this movie. As a DVD rental or a casual glance on TV it's an OK movie, it's certainly not something I'd watch again even despite the wonder that is Jessica Alba.

I have deliberately been vague on my review for Awake, simply because I can tell you very little about the movie without ruining the vision for you, that's if you believe of course you might care enough about the film.

Recommended:
No

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age