Amazon.com: There's a hint of classic noir in the twists and turns that make up Awake, a medical thriller that hinges on an alarming real-life condition known as anesthesia awareness, which keeps surgery patients awake but immobile during surgery. Hayden Christensen is top-billed as the scion of a wealthy banking family in desperate need of a heart transplant. Seconds after the operation commences, he discovers that he is fully conscious, yet unable to move; and what's worse, the entire procedure is slated to fail in order to claim his considerable fortune. Once the scheme is set in motion, Awake moves into high gear, and the stock characters established in the exposition-heavy opening show their true (and decidedly scurrilous) colors. Unfortunately, the suspense is undone by Christensen undergoing what appears to be a confusing out-of-body experience, and a conclusion that begs for more suspension of disbelief than most audiences will be able to summon up. Christensen and Jessica Alba (as his new bride) are attractive but bland; instead, it's Howard who delivers as the film's conflicted antihero. The supporting players, including Lena Olin as Christensen's overprotective mom, Christopher McDonald, and Arliss Howard also lend considerable credence to the material. -- Paul Gaita
Product Description: Awake turns the disturbingly real phenomenon of anesthetic awareness - in which surgery patients through completely paralyzed are conscious of everything they are experiencing including the pain - into a "completely absorbing" thriller (Roger Ebert). When failed anesthesia leaves a rich young tycoon (Hayden Christensen Star Wars) alert but immobilized during open heart surgery he overhears a devious plot to have him killed. Co-starring Jessica Alba (Sin City) and Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard (Crash) Awake does "for operations what Jaws did for the beach" (Frank ScheckHollywood Reporter)System Requirements:Running Time: 84 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA/PSYCHOLOGICAL DRAMA Rating: R UPC: 796019810678 Manufacturer No: 81067
Good inspite of several flaws The only reason that prevented me from giving a 4 star rating was the plot and gripping narrative (though a bit boring in places) which had me on the edge of my seat till the end. This first thing I must be thankful about this film is for making me aware of "Anesthetic awareness" a physical condition under general anesthesia I never knew could take place. I finally started reading more about it on the internet and it sounded too frightening and painful to be true. I was only wondering how a patient's anesthetic awareness could be detected if he or she were to have it prior to a surgery. Scary indeed!
As my mind was focused on the medical condition I was hardly aware of the superb plot and that turned out to be quite a thriller. All leading stars have done a good job except that Hayden needs to do something about his acting and personality to avoid becoming monotonous and stale. The lovely and haunting piano signature tune was also a plus. The flaws were the openness of the heart transplant operation. I need to know which hospital in the U.S allows a relative to enter an operation theater so easily where a heart transplant procedure is being performed. In the narrative Hayden has an out-of-body experience but the mother also having it or appearing in the out-of-body experience of Hayden and the meeting of both of them was a bit too crude and at times boring too. But full marks for the idea, story/plot, and screenplay.
Unusual plot but........ This was definitely a new story line but the execution was mediocre, at best. The whole thing took place in either the Mother and Son's home or at the hospital. Just kind of dull, if you ask me. It has the appearance of a rather low-budget flick. Not impressed. I would rather re-watch something that I have already seen (and liked) than to waste time/money on this one.
Rude Awakening I have read the reviews and I just am bombarded with negativity once again. The casting is a strong factor and adds great depth to the film. The acting was top notch and the chill factor is over the top. There were no real complaints with the film at all. It is a brilliant film using a unexplored area of medicine and it is damn right creepy. Unlike most films of this genre this has a brilliant ending and justifies itself. The twists are truly amazing and really smart. These reviews are just unfair I mean did they even watch it? There are others films that just suck and this is not one of them. Watch it. You will stay awake.
not that great
The plot is simple, but reveals pretty much what is going to happen. As I don't want to spoil the movie for others, it's enough to say that 1 out of 700 people that undergo surgery find him/herself awake during the procedure, but unable to call for help. If I divulge anything else, the script itself becomes obvious, so because of that, I found there were no surprises, no twists.
The acting sucks! Only Lena Olin is worth watching. Hayden Christensen and Jessica Alba are mind-blowingly bad. And Terrence Howard is possibly worse.
I found the premise very interesting, but it was, in my opinion, badly scripted - there are several plot holes.
Interesting to watch for the story, but no other reason really.
If only........ I loved this movie. I recommend it to anyone who loves quickly and maybe is a bit independent at heart.. this movie is a lesson in life. One many have learned but it is so great to see a film really have such a story that impacts people like this one does. 4 stars definately. I would say 5 BUT if you go to the deleted scenes.. all the emotions are in there. Its really sad. Scenes of Haydens character asking permission to marry, the argument, all the scenes with his mother.. and a great scene with his fiance in the rain.. its really sad that those were cut.. we miss so much without them!! Why can't movie creators come out with the DVD's in the same way they came out with "me myself and irene"?? In that dvd you have a choice in the menu that asks you if you want to watch the full film including the deleted scenes!! No kidding! And at the exact part where the scene is set to take place the DVD shows the deleted scene and then goes on with the movie. All of this is done automatically and I KNOW that if they did this with other films they films would SELL OUT. Everyone would want to see the films with their deleted scenes at least once! AND this film really is one that you cannot watch without going and looking at the scenes that were deleted and removed. 4 stars but if those scenes were in I am sure we all would love this much more!!!
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