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It opened at No. 4 for the weekend with estimated sales of
$6 million, significantly below industry expectations. Playing something like an extended episode of Rod Serling's
classic "Night Gallery" television series, the film uses as its
main element the horrifying condition known as "anesthetic
awareness," in which a patient under surgery, though completely
paralyzed, is aware of everything that he is experiencing,
including the pain. Were it to gain wider exposure, this film
would do for operations what "Jaws" did for the beach. The central character is Clayton Beresford Jr. (Hayden
Christensen), a young Wall Street tycoon suffering from an
inferiority complex and a bad heart. While trying to fill his
late father's shoes in the business world, he also is waiting
for a suitable donor heart for a desperately needed transplant. Said operation is to be performed by his best friend Jack
(Terrence Howard), a heart surgeon who previously saved
Clayton's life. The patient's domineering mother, Lilith (Lena
Olin), opposes the choice, preferring the services of a
longtime friend (Arliss Howard) who also happens to be
pre-eminent in the field. Further complicating matters is Clayton's secret romance
with his mother's assistant, Samantha (Jessica Alba), resulting
in a quickie marriage just before he is notified that a heart
has become available. Just as he's about go under the knife, Clayton realizes, to
his horror, that he can still feel everything. During the
ensuing operation -- depicted in graphic detail -- he learns
that things are not quite what they seem. Director Joby Harold's script has more than its share of
credibility problems, not the least of which is its depiction
of a major operation occurring in what seems to be a deserted
hospital. But he also succeeds in creating a quietly ominous
tone that never lets up, with this being the rare modern horror
effort that relies on suspense rather than bloodshed. Other pluses are the handsome widescreen photography by
Russell Carpenter, who makes fine use of numerous New York
locations, and the sterling cast. 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. And
veteran character actors Christopher McDonald, Fisher Stevens
and Arliss Howard deliver highly effective supporting turns. Although admittedly marred by plot holes deep enough for a
truck to fall into, "Awake" didn't deserve the big sleep. Reuters/Hollywood Reporter |
Sometimes in their urgency
to prevent critics from seeing their dreck, film companies
throw out the baby with the bathwater. Such is the case with
"Awake," a nifty little thriller that opened Friday without
being screened in advance for the press. 
