Awake (2007) - A Movie Review

Anything could happen on that medical table.

Awake is a 2007 film. A wealthy young man is set to undergo heart transplant surgery. Believing that he is put under anesthesia, Clay encounters a terrifying ordeal where he is consciously still awake during the surgery. He learns of a grim plan by the team of doctors involved.

Awake has enough medical inaccuracies to make it a film not worth watching, but every so often I watch the movie for its unique direction and terrific acting talents. Fight for your life, no matter the limitations.

Preferring to live his own life and make his own decisions, first Clay needs to get through a serious operation. Hayden Christenson excelled in the remarkable narration of the events surrounding him. Out on a table for most of the film, Christenson had a unique direction to recall memories of the situation, pinpointing the clues that he missed.

This was one of the films where I became a fan of Jessica Alba. Alba is an underrated actress! She was excellent as Sam Lockwood, particularly with her countenance. However, her character was somewhat underdeveloped leaving questions about Sam’s involvement.

Awake has a good cast of actors who conceal the fact that minimal research in the medical field was done for this film. More credits include Terrance Howard, Lena Olin, Christopher McDonald, and Arlis Howard. The performances by the cast are commendable, as they effectively convey the fear, desperation, and confusion their characters experience.

While Awake presents an intriguing premise, Joby Harold should have conducted a more authentic portrayal of the medical field. I am no doctor but I could tell the film was using a lot of creative liberties to enhance the story.

However, I never want to experience this ‘anesthesia awareness’ like what’s illustrated in the film and from what I have read in stories. That’s the terrifying part of the movie. Being helpless as you feel everything from the surgery.

The film has good plot twists, some I didn’t see coming the first time I watched it. Awake manages to keep the audience on the edge of their seats with its suspenseful storyline. There were missed opportunities with characters and other story elements. The film primarily focuses on Clay’s physical danger and not the psychological impact of the situation.

That would have been more intriguing to explore along with all the emotional turmoil this character has encountered in his life. The film failed to deliver an emotional narrative. I didn’t feel much of a connection to Clay.

With stronger character development, more emotional resonance, and a more accurate depiction of anesthetic awareness, Awake could have elevated its storytelling and created a more immersive and thought-provoking experience.

The visual edits are remarkable, inserting characters into flashbacks where they’re already present. The film's cinematography and visual style add to its intensity along with the lighting and camera angles which contribute to the film’s heightening atmosphere. Viewers feel like they’re a part of Clay’s terrifying situation.

Despite the medical implausibility, I am impressed that the film shot the surgery scenes with careful attention to detail and precision. Speaking of the surgery scenes, be warned, Awake gives viewers a full view of heart transplant surgery.

You may want to steer clear of this film if you have a weak stomach. It’s graphic. And gross. Just to give an example, doctors open a character's chest revealing his insides.

Viewers who are doctors may have a lot of comments but you should check out Awake. It’s a story that stays in your mind.