Awake focuses on “Anesthesia Awareness” a condition wherein patients remain conscious even after administering general anesthesia. Unable to sleep and completely paralyzed the patients find themselves in a helpless fix as they cannot signal this condition due to paralysis. With a runtime of 84 min., the movie is pretty short and focuses only on what is necessary.
Hayden Christensen plays the lead as Clay Beresford a twenty two year old, who is leading the dream life. Billionaire, a heir to his father’s empire, successful and engaged to a cute girlfriend in form of Jessica Alba as Sam Lockwood, you couldn’t ask for more. But after a massive heart attack he requires a heart transplant requiring a major surgical procedure. Clay is also in a predicament about revealing the his relationship with Sam, to his judgmental and overprotective mother Lilith (Lena Olin).Clay chooses his friend Dr Jack Harper to perform the surgery, in spite of his mom’s recommendation Dr. Neyer who was a specialist in the field.
The first 30 minutes provide an excellent buildup to a sinister plot. After administration of the General Anesthesia Clay is still conscious about the world around though he is paralyzed and unable to notify this condition. From here on movie is not without flaws and Clay has an “astral” experience. The movie does snap ties with reality, but Clay’s astral experience is much more of a clear the air kind of thing, unlike the one in movies like ‘Just Like Heaven’ .You could say Clay’s experience is much more for explaining the things around as the plot unveils. Any more info on the plot will spoil the movie from what it is and I should say movie is not without it twists. Also an excellent counter plot at the end makes the movie a thriller worth watching.
Movie keeps you on the edge of the seat throughout the surgery and one could overlook the flaws it has. It keeps you guessing and only a careful viewing of the first half hour may reveal anything about the plot or what happens next. The movie is worth watching for its short runtime and a nicely executed plot. I would rate it at 7/10, a psychological thriller worth watching.
Hmmm, Really interesting plot. Must have been pretty scary for the person subjected to AA. But thrillers are not for me. As a newbie to movie terms please explain what you mean while giving reference to other movies.
ReplyDeleteI haven't watched this movie. But I vaguely remember watching Just Like Heaven long ago. You say Awake is better, I will make it a point to catch this one soon.
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