Watch Awake For Free

The Worst Film Ever

The Age of Commercialism

I wanted to but couldn't!

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

I have not seen this film. I am deciding if I will. It is shocking that this happens in surgery in real life. I have spoken to more than one that have experienced being conscious during major surgery yet paralyzed. I don't understand why their body would not indicate heightened adrenal activity. An increase in pulse, something, surely some sign. People that go through this have it happen for real and can experience extreme Post traumatic stress. It must be beyond terrifying for them. Then, the Australian convicts experienced being cut open while conscious and having their insides explored for medical research. The so-called elite medical industry has something to answer for as to the ethics of the origins of its practice. Not surprised it is comprising the subject matter for a horror film.

"Awake" was an incredible thriller that had me captivated from start to finish. An emotional roller-coaster ride the whole time with plot twist after plot twist. Hayden Christensen excelled in his role of the conscious, paralyzed billionaire philanthropist undergoing heart surgery. Coupled with Alba, you are left mesmerized by the events unfolding in front of your eyes. The impressive directing and acting makes you feel as though you are in the OR with the characters. The only thing in question are the camera angles, movement, etc. they are made to seem as though he is in a dream state. Does it work? I believe so, but others seem to think it doesn't. But that is up to your own preferences I guess.I would definitely recommend. I just wish it was longer, you will understand once you watch it.Be sure to steer clear of spoilers because it will completely ruin it for you.

Stylish and full of surprises, this is one of those movies that make you wonder how people come up with such clever ideas. In this case it is writer/director Joby Harold, and amazingly it looks like this is the only film he has directed so far. Don't pay too much attention to the negative reviews – if this film didn't impress the critics at the time it was released, I don't know what would.The best thing if you haven't seen "Awake" is not to read too much about it beforehand, just let it play and enjoy the surprises as they come.Without giving too much away, the film starts with some ominous statistics, which fade in and out over Graeme Revell's seductive, yet unsettling score. The statistics state that out of 21 million people who receive general anaesthetic each year, 30,000 suffer from anaesthesia awareness – they remain awake, totally paralysed, but are aware of everything. Clay Beresford (Hayden Christensen), a wealthy young man, undergoes a heart transplant. His friend, surgeon Jack Harper (Terrence Howard), performs the operation over the objections of Clay's mother, Lilith (Lena Olin). Just before the operation, and also without his mother's blessing, Clay marries Sam Lockwood (Jessica Alba), his mother's assistant. When the operation commences, Clay discovers that he is one of the unlucky 30,000; he has anaesthesia awareness big time, and to paraphrase a blurb from another movie, 'under anaesthetic, no one can hear you scream'.From that point on, the film goes in unexpected directions. It's a delicious mystery with revelation after revelation.I love the cast although apparently very few of them were the first choice. Lena Olin is just one of those ageless European beauties who hardly has to do anything to get your attention. Jessica Alba is so gorgeous you can't help thinking she was born to make movies; although some are so bad she is about the only reason to watch them. However, that is not the case here, this is a meaty role with quite a few layers to her character. As for Jessica receiving a "Rassie" Worst Actress nomination for her role in "Awake", it's as silly as the fact that she and Hayden Christensen were also nominated for Worst Couple, showing that the "Rassie" panel missed the point entirely as to the meaning of the word couple as it applies to this movie.Apparently the authenticity of some of the procedures shown in "Awake" have been called into question, as have the statistics shown at the beginning of the movie, but I don't think that detracts from the enjoyment of the film; it is definitely one of a kind. If you like a movie with a fresh twist, "Awake" won't disappoint you.

I saw the advert for this, and I certainly recognised the title, and reading about what may be involved in the plot I was intrigued to see if I would agree with the two stars that the critics give it. Basically Clay Beresford (Hayden Christensen) is a young capital investment firm chief who has been having a secret loving relationship with his mother's secretary Sam Lockwood (Razzie nominated Jessica Alba), and he is unwilling to tell his mother Lilith (Lena Olin), but he has an operation coming up. He suffers from a heart condition, and needs a transplant to be carried out, and he is relying on his good friend, Dr. Jack Harper (Terrence Howard), to carry out the operation, but his mother insists it should be her boyfriend and the more qualified doctor. Before the operation goes ahead Clay and Sam have a secret wedding at midnight, and still brushing off the suggestions for another doctor, specifically the one recommended, Clay is put under anaesthesia, and the open heart surgery begins. As is common is some surgeries with the drug used, Clay finds out that he is actually still awake, experiencing anaesthetic awareness, but he cannot do anything as he is paralysed, but he is able to escape with an out of body experience. As he is still in the operating theatre, he overhears a murder plot, Dr. Harper and two of the other surgeons are planning to inject his heart with a chemical that will cause the heart to reject the body. Dr. Harper has second thoughts about this plan, especially with Sam convincing him to carry on the operation, unaware this plot is going on, and Liliath awaits results. Sam tries to win over Clay's mother, but she becomes suspicious, having found out about the secret marriage, and rooting through her bags Liliath finds out she used to be a nurse, while out of body Clay finds this out too. Clay decides to return to his body and await his fate, while his mother deliberately overdoses so that they can use her heart in the operation, and after this does happen Dr. Harper knows he is probably going to be caught for his murder plot involvement. We find out that this whole scheme was the idea of Sam, as she wanted to get all of Clay's money to pay off debts that she has with colleagues, and even though the operation is successful, Clay refuses to wake up with all that has been revealed to him. Clay is approached by his mother, now in limbo like him, and she convinces him in the end to return to his living body, and gives reasons why he should continue his life, while in the end Sam is arrested after someone grassed her up, and Dr. Harper confirms that Clay did die momentarily, but he is awake. Also starring Christopher McDonald as Dr. Larry Lupin, Sam Robards as Clayton Beresford Sr., Arliss Howard as Dr. Jonathan Neyer and Short Circuit's Fisher Stevens as Dr. Puttnam. Christensen, just like in Star Wars, and partly Jumper, is wooden and dull, Alba is pretty but not all that convincing as a Femme Fetale, and the other stars do not convince you much either, it could have been a really clever film, but the script is flawed by complicated plot turns, the acting is cheesy, and it should be much more sophisticated in the delivery of what should be twists, I was disappointed, it is a daft psychological thriller. It was nominated the Razzie for Worst Screen Couple for Alba and Christensen. Adequate!