by Megan Buff

Created on: June 03, 2008   Last Updated: August 15, 2010

It's an interesting premise: a man goes in for major surgery, is not given the correct amount of anesthetic, and is left powerless but conscious in a fight for his own life. Aside from the fact that Clay is fully awake but paralyzed, the basic storyline is stereotypical, of the variety that seems overdone but is so bland no one ever dares to try it. Thankfully, that one twist lends Awake interest and turns it from run-of-the-mill drama to moderately-entertaining psychological thriller.

Hayden Christiansen plays Clay, a very rich young man with a heart condition. As he waits for a transplant to come available, he falls in love with his mother's secretary. Christiansen manages to pull off a very convincing innocent, handsome young man, though his character does not seem capable of the massive business management he's supposed to do. At any rate, it's easy to see why his girlfriend would fall for him.

Aside from Clay's love for Sam (Jessica Alba), his relationships are generally underdeveloped. His mother seems harsh and unrelenting, but Christiansen treats her as though she were incredibly loving and tender. His flash-friendship with his heart surgeon is incomplete, too quick to be true but too close to not be. In short, Christiansen's character behaves toward everyone with much the same love, affection, and trust as he shows his girlfriend; yet he is in charge of a multi-million dollar company and, according to other characters, he strives to prove his worth. None of this tension is ever present.

It is Christiansen's character and not his acting that save the show. The battle for Clay's life, fought between his suspicious mother and people who want him dead for his money, would be mundane if Clay was simply out on the operating table. Thanks to the scriptwriters, we see much of the action through Clay's mind, as he processes everything going on around him. His presence adds an element of suspense, reminding us that the seemingly unconscious figure on the table is actually a living, breathing, feeling human being.

But he cannot rescue the entire movie. The plot to get Clay's money is incomplete, and open to failure in too many ways. A few twists along the way make sense during the movie, but do not match up with reality upon further reflection. Too many parts of the script seem contrived to carry the story forward. Awake is a fascinating concept, decently carried out, and flatly acted.

Learn more about this author, Megan Buff.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.