The Online Reflector

By Kim Puckett, Staff Writer

With an original and interesting premise, average acting and poor directing, “Awake” fails to meet its description as a psychological thriller.

Hayden Christensen (“Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith”) stars as Clayton Beresford, Jr., an heir to a billion dollar company who is in need of a heart transplant. During his surgery, Beresford experiences what is called “anesthesia awareness.”

According to the beginning of the film, more than 30,000 people every year experience the phenomenon of anesthesia awareness. When patients are not given the correct amount of anesthetic for their body weight, they can experience complete paralysis but be fully aware of the entire procedure. The patients feel pain and are aware of what is going on around them.

Christensen’s character not only feels the unbearable pain of a heart transplant, he also overhears his doctors’ plot to kill him in surgery.

Beresford’s overprotective mother (Lena Olin, “Alias”) and new wife (Jessica Alba, “Good Luck Chuck”) sit nervously in the waiting room as his excruciating surgery experience unfolds.

The concept of anesthesia awareness is brilliant for a film, and even the other plot twists in “Awake” make the movie interesting. However, first-time director Joby Harold fails to carry out the plot in believable or innovative ways.

For example, Beresford leaves his body during the surgery, runs down the halls of the hospital and relives past conversations. This aspect of the plot only seems to serve the setting of the movie by moving it out of the single surgical room. His out-of-body experience seems pointless and forced, not moving the action of the plot at all.

A rare, thrilling part of the movie occurs when Alba enters the surgical room to check on her new husband’s surgery.

Her complete change of character transforms the entire scope of the film. Without giving the entire plot away, the drama that ensues almost makes the film worth watching.

Alba, who has had lackluster performances in most of her films such as “Good Luck Chuck” and “Into the Blue,” steps up her acting in this film.

Her performance is not likely to generate Oscar buzz, but she shows improvement as her character, Sam, evolves over the course of the film. Alba’s character shows her true colors at the end of the film, changing the audience’s entire outlook on her role in the plot.

This change allows Alba to switch roles herself, playing two completely different women.

A more prestigious and recognized actor, Terrence Howard (“The Brave One”), does not live up to his past performances such as in the Oscar-winning “Crash.” In “Awake,” Howard plays Dr. Jack Harper, Beresford’s doctor of many years. He performs the heart surgery and plays a role in the murder plot against Beresford. Howard seems emotionless and disconnected even when his character is feeling torn and shameful.

Alba’s and Christensen’s characters begin the film in a passionate love affair.

The sex scenes between them are not overly graphic, but they are far too frequent and packed together. With the film only running 78 minutes, the amount of passionate kissing and partial nudity from the two characters is a bit overbearing.

The film “Awake” was mostly a disappointment.

The film did not use its fascinating concept to its full potential. The performances did not boost the appeal of the film either.

With better direction and actors more versed in thriller films, this movie could have been brilliant. I recommend waiting to see “Awake,” and the phenomenon of anesthesia awareness, until it comes out on DVD.