Review of Awake (2007) by Patrick E — 13 Aug 2009

Awake is about, without doubt, one of the most terrifying experiences humanly imaginable, being fully awake and aware while a surgical operation is being performed on you. The idea that you can physically feel every cut but not having the ability to do anything about it is a nightmare that actually does happen to certain people. This film will have you believe it happens to 1:300 when in reality it's more like 1:40000 but this doesn't make the experience any less terrifying. Sadly the execution behind this brilliant idea is terribly flawed and I can only wish that a more accomplished director and acting team were behind the idea.

The plot revolves around a sensitive billionaire named Clay (played by the awful Hayden Christenson) who has a dodgy heart and needs a transplant. He has fallen for a working class girl (played by Jessica Alba) which he must keep secret from his domineering mother. The first half hour of the film focuses purely on this. Eventually a heart is found for Clay and he goes in for surgery. The anesthetic doesn't work and he is fully aware of the operation being performed on him. Now the silliness begins. Firstly we are treated to a downright awful voice-over from Christenson explaining he can feel everything. Supposedly if he simply thinks about his girlfriend he won?t feel the pain. The emotionless way that Christenson talks about this just make sit all seem funny instead of horrifying. Eventually Clay hears that the doctors intend to kill him to gain his money and there are twists and turns from this point that I won't give away but actually are quite unexpected.

The acting from Alba and Christenson is nothing short of awful which really takes away from the film. Terrence Howard is the only one who puts in a good performance. But the films biggest let down is that fact the anesthesia awareness at the heart of the film has absolutely no bearing on the actual story, it's simply there as a plot devise and nothing else. Why come up with such a terrifying idea if they are not even going the make it the focal point of the film?

Awake is still a decent enough film despite the wasted opportunities and the phoned in acting performances. It has a very original and scary concept it just doesn't make full use of it. Still it's definitely worth a watch and maybe someone else will pick up on its ideas in the future and make a better film.