Don’t blink because Hayden Christensen and Jessica Alba make one good-looking pair to watch. They may be two of the best looking people in Hollywood and, yes, they both look good with their tops off. Yet these aesthetic distractions only go so far when you realize that the acting and script aren’t as glorious in the new thriller “Awake.”
The basic story of the film is that Clayton (Christensen) needs a new heart. He is beyond rich at the age of 22 due to the death of his father. Although he is a billionaire, his personality is not indicative of the rich person who paid his way to the top of the donor list.
He is smart, conscientious, and always dapper. Samantha (Alba) is his gorgeous, caring sweetheart fiancée that loves him despite the fact that Clayton has yet to break the news to his mother (Lena Olin) about their involvement.
When Clayton finally undergoes surgery things begin to go wrong. He is put under by way of anesthesia, but is still awake, hence the name of the film.
From this point Clayton is heard narrating from his point of view as they cut, saw and eventually spread open his chest. Even though he is awake, he is paralyzed and is helpless to anything that is going on around him. Even worse is the fact that Clayton hears the doctors saying that they are going to kill him. From this point the twists and turns begin as Clayton has an out-of-body experience and hears and sees that everything, and everyone, is not as they should be.
The film begins in the end of the story. It shows Dr. Jack Harper (Terrance Howard) sitting at his desk giving narration about losing his patient and friend, Clayton. The story then jumps to an overhead close-up of Clayton in the bathtub, submerged and holding his breath. He surfaces and there by his side is the stunning and perfect Samantha who is then pulled in to the water wearing only a pair of loose boxers and a white tank top.
Christensen plays his character with grace and thoughtfulness. Unlike other promising young actors, he has stayed away from doing corny teen comedies. The film doesn’t showcase his talent as was demonstrated in previous works like “Shattered Glass” or “Life as a House.” He does do a better job than most and his work is not agonizing to watch. Just wait for him to flash his smile and everything feels right with the world.
Alba’s acting is not the best either: in fact she needs a little more practice. She is one of those actresses you really want to be more than just another pretty young face in the Hollywood crowd. Her work is admirable and she is a likable character until the end, but the script may have been the problem. Hopefully in her next on-screen appearance she will prove she has the talent to go along with her looks.
Director Joby Harold’s work shines as each shot capture the characters almost perfectly.
Clayton and Jack fish in the Hudson River, Samantha walks in the rain, and a tear escapes Clayton’s eye while on the surgery table. All these shots give the movie its sweetness. The surgery scenes are painful to watch, seeing Clayton awake in his mind and reach his hands into his gaping chest make your own chest a little heavy.
Overall “Awake” doesn’t induce narcolepsy. With twists, a shocker of an outcome and actors with eye-opening good looks this film is almost worth awaking for.
