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Memorable, crazy movie

Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

Better Late Then Never

An aspiring politician (Billy Crudup) falls in love with an activist (Jennifer Connelly) in "Waking the Dead" from 2001, directed by Keith Gordon and adapted from the eponymous novel by Robert Dillon.When Fielding Pierce meets his brother's assistant Sarah in 1972, the two fall in love with one another. It's a deep, emotional love. But they have different ideologies. Fielding has political ambitions; Sarah is idealist who spends her time helping others. She is killed in an explosion while helping members of the Chilean resistance.Nine years later, a Fielding is running for the Senate, he starts seeing Sarah everywhere and can't get her out of his mind. It affects his campaign work, to the consternation of those trying to get him elected.This is a movie that's almost painful to watch, because Billy Crudup and Jennifer Connelly pour such passion and emotion into their love affair, that you feel his pain when she's gone. They're both excellent -- and very young here.There are some old-timers in the cast as well - Hal Holbrook and Bernard Behrens, to name two, but also the excellent stage actors Janet McTeer and Larry Marshall. Ed Harris has a small role as someone on television. "House of Cards" actress Molly Parker plays Crudup's current girlfriend, though he doesn't really love her. I think the love story was the most compelling element of this film - though these two people want to do good in the world, they approach it in different ways, and that separates them.One of the last scenes is deliberately ambiguous when it really shouldn't be -- if you look at the message board you will see a description of a deleted scene and what is in the book.It's a lovely story.One other thing - a lot of people did not like Sarah. I find that so interesting - every time I watch a film featuring a female activist, everybody hates her. I watched "The Constant Gardener" and had to listen to everyone hating on Rachel Weisz. Ditto "The Whistleblower." Go figure. Too left-wing? Too goody two-shoes? I don't know. But people sure have a strong reaction.

What more can I say? This quiet, intimate, fast-paced film explores the lives of two people who are made for each other yet whose lives keep them apart. Both characters are forced to grow as they face stereotypes and their own false expectations. And then, when the bombshell hits, get ready to reach for the Kleenex! Unlike many other films that deal with relationships, this one continues the exploration of the questions posed, even after it would seem physically possible. Both characters continue to grow to the very last frame of the film. Jennifer Connelly and Billy Crudup are both excellent in their roles. Connelly has less screen time but plays her "Jiminy Cricket" role perfectly. Crudup is note-perfect in his slide towards psychosis.This is the ultimate "what if?" film, realistically portraying the agony of loss and unanswered questions. Definitely *not* one to watch when you're in the mood for a fluffy Hugh Grant flick! But for intelligent, thought-provoking movie-making, this is the one to see.

This is one of those films that you watch and contemplate later in your life. As far as losing someone you love, and how that effects every major decision you will ever make for the rest of your life, this film is the most realistic portrayal I have ever seen. Billy Crudup was meant to play Fielding in this movie. This movie is haunting and is just one of those little movies that falls through the cracks but is never forgotten. A stunning movie directing by none other than the director of A Midnight Clear, another terrific film. If you are reading this you should seek out this movie or just buy it online. I give Waking the Dead 9/10.

A film about a couple whose love for one another combats strongly with their political beliefs and future plans that focuses too much on the politics and too little on the romance. We get very brief introductions to the characters and then out of nowhere they go on a date and are madly in love. The intimate scenes only succeed so well due to the beautiful chemistry of Billy Crudup and Jennifer Connelly who both deliver some powerhouse performances. The political aspect of the film is dull and drags quite a bit, but every time Jennifer is re-introduced into Crudup's life it draws you back in. The finale is thought-provoking and sentimental, but the strength of the scenes with Crudup and Connelly alone together only weakens the quality of the rest of the film.