Wide Awake

Starring: Denis Leary, Dana Delany, Robert Loggia, Joseph Cross, Rosie O'Donnell, Julia Stiles
Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: PG
Genre: Children's, Drama
1998

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: After the death of his grandfather (Robert Loggia), a fifth grader (Joseph Cross) in a Catholic school decides to embark on a quest to find God and make sure his grandfather is okay. This puts his parents (Denis Leary, Dana Delany) and schoolteacher (Rosie O'Donnell) in a difficult situation, becomes he comes to them with questions that humankind has not been able to answer.

Review:

Tim: This is terrific writer/director M. Night Shyamalan's first film. It is so interesting to watch a young director writing and directing a film about what he knows. Watching this film, you can see much of Shyamalan in the people and events.

It is great to see a film about a young boy struggling with life's deepest questions. It is touching and humorous to watch this boy going through life- what we more or less went through at some point in our childhood. Shyamalan does a good job helping us to relive those moments through his main character. You'll find lots in common with this movie, even if you didn't go to a Catholic school.

Surprisingly, this is a good movie to watch as adults or as children. Both demographics will equally enjoy the film. While there is some humor in the film, the movie is first and foremost a drama, but occasionally provides a decent laugh.

Joseph Cross is excellent playing the young boy, but his is the only great performance of the film. Denis Leary has nothing to do. Rosie O'Donnell isn't funny or great at all. Robert Loggia evokes some strong emotion as the grandfather we all should have had.

I wanted to point out the speech at the end. It is powerful and beautiful. Bravo to Shyamalan. He really knows how to make a good film.



Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Signs, The Village