Synopsis
While undergoing heart surgery, a man experiences a phenomenon called ‘anesthetic awareness’, which leaves him awake but paralyzed throughout the operation. As various obstacles present themselves, his wife must make life-altering decisions while wrestling with her own personal drama.
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Cast
- Hayden ChristensenClay Beresford
- Jessica AlbaSam Lockwood
- Terrence HowardDr. Jack Harper
- Lena OlinLilith Beresford
- Christopher McDonaldDr. Larry Lupin
- Sam RobardsClayton Beresford Sr.
- Arliss HowardDr. Jonathan Neyer
- Fisher StevensDr. Puttnam
- Georgina ChapmanPenny Carver
- David HarbourDracula
Recommendations
- 75
Chicago Sun-Times
A surprisingly effective thriller. - 50
The Hollywood Reporter
Christensen delivers a low-key performance that is ultimately quite appealing, and he's well matched by the beautiful Alba. Olin brings unexpected depths to what could have been a stock role, and Terrence Howard uses his easy ability to project innate decency to excellent effect. - 50
ReelViews
Awake is short enough (about 85 minutes) that it doesn't wear out its welcome. It's not a good movie but it's silly and lively enough to keep most viewers from dozing off, even if that might be a more profitable use of their time. - 50
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
With a couple of more drafts to mend the plot holes and restructure the middle act, Awake could have been saved. - 40
Variety
Harold's thriller does have an attention-getting plot hook, but piles on too many narrative gimmicks to maintain suspense or credibility. - 40
Los Angeles Times
Trashily in-your-face thriller, which leans heavily for its effects on intense sympathy pain, improbable reversals and the mystifying star appeal of Jessica Alba. - 38
TV Guide Magazine
What a waste. Check out "Breakdown" or Aldo Lado's 1971 Italian giallo "Long Night Of The Short Dolls" for a far better treatments of the same subject. - 30
The New York Times
The writer and director, Joby Harold, claims to have been inspired to write the film while suffering from a particularly painful kidney stone. Watching it may be for some a comparable experience.
