Wide Awake

I am not sure why some reviewers lament that it's a pretentious theme. Sure, it's not anything that'd be seen rocking boxoffice records or winning grand prizes, it even has some necessary contrivances. But it moved me, impelled me to think, and impressed me with a number of brilliant moments that are sensitive and engaging without becoming cloying.

Shyamalan is now a familiar name, so I approached his debut effort with high expectations, and while it could be sappy in bits for some people, I'm guilty of having clung on until the very last shot. The writing is taut and the production values are all-round immaculate. I was not disappointed one bit!

If you have kids, this is a fantastic movie to watch because of the sweet yet universal messages it couches. Plus, the kids in the movie are not freckled 10-year old brats, they have thoughts deeper than what you and I give them credit for.

The script is by no stretch of imagination an overly ambitious one, but I highly recommend this underrated gem for its thoughtful dialogue and crisp direction.


Heart Warming and Awakening!   January 29, 2003
Andrew Blackwell (Newcastle, England)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

It is a surprise to me that young Joseph Cross has not gone on to greater things as a hollywood actor. In this film he once again puts the adults to shame with his natural acting skills as he did in the film Jack Frost (1998). But now Joseph is getting back into acting in the American TV show "The O'keefes" in 2002/2003 and I hope that he may do another movie as an eigteen year old to see how his acting skills hav developed since he was ten years old. The film looks at the transaction from boy to man or girl to woman and how hard it is for kids to make that move. With issues such as death and the dissapearence of that "magic" as Josephs character Joshua describes it during the movie. From a world of creativity and unrestricted boudaries to just seeing the plastic and paint in a toy car. Th film also raises the issue of how we should allow children to handle the death of a loved one as Joshua has to manage when his grandpa dies of bone marrow cancer. It is shown that we shouldn't hide the facts of death from our childrebut discuss it openly and allow them to say their final goodbyes by allowing them t attend the funeral insead of keeping them away as I personally was as a child. In all this is a great movie with realism, humour and overall brilliant acting. Strongly recommended.


A little movie with so much to say...   October 30, 2000
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

I saw this film in the theatre when it was released and immediately urged friends and family to see it as well. It was one of those films that you can't stop thinking of for days. The cast was incomparable and the story line so touching. Anyone who can remember back to our innocent ideas of life when we are young will relate to this movie. But especially those who have dealt with such a loss, searched for answers and found the disapointment of what doesn't make sense at the moment but eventually leads to a greater realization at the end. An excellent film, for any age at any time.


An almost perfect performance by ten year old Joseph Cross   March 26, 1999
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I have seen many movies but none like this one. Wide Awake presents you with a slice of someones life so realistic and true. It tells of the innocence of a ten year old boy trying to come to terms with the death of his beloved grandfather. He even tries to find God to make sure his grandfather is alright. The show has the right combination of laughter and tears and the ability to warm your heart and remind you of your own childhood. Joseph Cross is very impressive and carries his character extremely well. Do yourself a favour, watch this movie and you will 'see' with your heart. The cast of this movie simply compliment each other by potraying a flawless picture of the life around Joshua A. Beal (Joseph Cross) A word of caution, watch this movie once and you'll watch it again and again!


The most sensitive, thought-provoking, in my library!   August 25, 2003
Carolyn Myers (Riverdale, Ga United States)
11 out of 13 found this review helpful

What a perfectly beautiful movie for all ages! I have many VHS & DVD movies, but NOTHING has touched me as much as "Wide Awake". I constantly recommend it to others & have never heard anyone disappointed from having watched it.