Shyamalan !! - Wide Awake (1998) Discussion

Pretty crazy, huh? What did you think of it?

reply

Haven't seen it. But don't forget it was his first film as director.

reply

I've also heard that AS a first timer, he didn't have much power and a lot of what you see in the finished film wasn't up to him, despite being the director/writer.

reply

[–] edainilwen 20 years ago

Nope, actually his first film as a director was Praying With Anger (1992). It's even less heard of. Sorry, just saw that and had to say something

I will not say do not weep for not all tears are in evil

reply

[–] oss103 19 years ago

Actually, Praying with Anger was his first film.

reply

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] dkirkc 17 years ago

I had actually seen this a couple times before I realized Night had made it.

Steve Irwin
22 February 1962-4 September 2006
R.I.P

reply

[–] IMDb-Rot_in_Hell 8 years ago

Incorrect.

reply

[–] moodyiv 18 years ago

yeah, and he said in an interview about the Lady in the water that all of his movies were successful. His last two were not that great but I guess they were successful as far as money goes but this movie must have slipped his mind. With good reason.

reply

[–] MilaPatricia 20 years ago

Why would he do this? Why not? People claim that they are a fan of his but then get angry when they find out he hasn't always been the "spooky movie king". What was he thinking? I don't get why people feel a need to label a person one thing, when they don't like to be labeled themselves. I haven't even seen this movie. I may not like it. But me not liking it would have nothing to do with the fact that I'm used to movies of his like The Sixth Sense. And most likely, this movie isn't far from his recent ones. Probably just portrayed differently. I don't need a backlash, I just don't understand people. Disagreeing is fine, that's what I'm doing.

reply

[–] Herr Nosferatu 20 years ago

I don't think the person who wrote the "what the... what was he thinking?" thread was necesarily implying that he or she was disatisfied with the fact that the movie lacked horror or suspense, but was perhaps more surprised at his or her perception at the lack of depth this movie has...

I am currently watching it for the first time, and although it's not a ground breaking film, it does touch interesting elements of spiritual notions.

I've always liked Shyamalan's films for this matter, not that he's a horror creator, but a film creator with a fascination for existential and spiritual elements.

reply

[–] adia07 20 years ago

I saw this movie when it was first released. I saw the trailer before some artsy movie, and got teary-eyed just from that!! When the film was finally thrown into a handful of theatres, I rushed out to see it. Despite the cheesy marketing, this is a wonderful film that had me crying at least 3 times during the movie. It's well written, thought-proviking, nicely directed, and not the cheese-fest the poster would lead you to believe. Rosie O'Donnell is barely in the movie and is pretty toned-down.

The funny thing too, with people who have wondered about this "type' of film and why Night would do it, is that it includes his famous TWIST ending. At the time, I had NO idea there would be a twist, and not only was I surprised, but surprisingly affected by it.

Go watch this movie. It's really terrific. You can see many of Shymalan's traits shining through.

reply

[–] genie_in_bottle666 20 years ago

I'm going to watch it this Friday. But, about the whole "why did he do it, what was he thinking." nonsense, Im glad he did it and hope he does it again. I would like to see him venture away from the Suspense for another movie like Wide Awake, not that I don't love his scary moves mind you, it's just that variety is a good thing. ..."Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what your gonna get."-Forrest Gump

reply

[–] thisistheknowitallspeaking 19 years ago

Most of Shyamalan's films are NOT scary, I have no clue why people think he makes horror films.

I loved this film, it was really thoughtful and sweet.

reply

[–] mja868s 19 years ago

You're right, his films really aren't scray, they're just incorrectly advertised that way by the movie industry. When i saw the previews for "Signs" it looked like a horror movie. Then i got to see an interview with Mel Gibson on Jay Leno and his description was that it was about a man who loses his faith and then regains it through an incredible series of events. Obviously thats exactly what it was. Its kind of surprising to me that none of the Christian groups touted this movie and its message.

reply

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Quicksand 19 years ago

Don't judge.

This was a great movie, and I finally broke down and rented it (for free) several years back. I'm SO glad I did.

"Wide Awake" is seven years old now, and it's SSSSSSSTTIIILLLL being marketed as a Rosie O'Donnell movie. Every time I see a trailer, TV spot, or even the cover box in the video store, I want to put my fist through a wall. I wouldn't go see a Rosie O'Donnell movie if you put a gun to my head.

Rosie O'Donnell is in "Wide Awake" as much as Olivia Williams (Mrs. Crowe) was in "The Sixth Sense." Yes, she has lines, and appears in more than one scene, but she is one of several supporting characters and the movie doesn't even remotely center around her, nor any actor over the age of 12.

Great film, and I wish they'd re-release the DVD with artwork thay tells more what the film is about, because making it look like a Rosie + Kid buddy movie is a total lie. "Wide Awake" is really is a great example of an M. Night Shyamalan movie, but with a very Disney-fied body count of One.

reply

[–] BeforeDarknessFalls 18 years ago

I totally agree with Quicksand!

reply

[–] SLOAN013 17 years ago

And I agree with you! I stumbled on to it on a rainy Sunday afternoon with no cable and little in terms of dvd.Starting with a touching set of scenes with Robert Loggia as the grandfather this film delves into a subject we all have to contend with:"why does God take the the people we love".Really, I"m no fan of most of M.Night Shyamalan's work(Sixth Sense,The Village,Lady in the Water)but this little film is one of his best works!This may be why the studios put a great deal of trust in his projects, the chance of getting a really good film.Please don't let Rosie turn you away from this film her screen time is very small but she does serve a purpose and not annoying at all!The entire film is carried by the extremely able young lead.All film stuff aside this a warm, touching and honest view about loss and living with a wonderful little twist at the end that bought me to tears.Everyone I've shared this film with loves it.If I were Shyamalan I would be proud of having this in my body of work as an artist.Small but powerful, deep but not preachy.

reply

[–] doctordish 18 years ago

I just saw this movie yesterday...I was just flipping channels and then m night shyamalan pops up on the screen....i'm like what movie is this?....but i loved the movie....and actually it's quite cool...and with some element of the supernatural in it...i most certainly wasn't expecting the ending...

reply

[–] Thoe 18 years ago

a movie about a child trying to find god? sounds like shyamalan to me

reply

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Petie3-2 17 years ago

I really am as fond of this one as I am of the 6th Sense. Very tight technically, superb acting (even from Rosie) and it sucks you in just like the rest of Night's works.

reply

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] cormac_zoso 9 years ago

I know a lot of people hate this film but even though i am not the sappy sweet type of film-lover, for being sappy and sweet in many areas, it is a fine film about questions a boy the main character's age might have after losing his beloved grandfather ... it certainly is the only appearance of rosie odonnell i can even begin to stomach ... but i think this is a good film, not a great film, and the nutty students around him make it quite a treat at times ... having attended a parochial school (missouri synod lutheran ... not far from the dogma-worshipping of the catholic religion the lutherans were supposed to be 'overthrowing' and certainly the lutherans were all about the money at least in this synod or in the congregation i grew up with ... the selling of salvation they accused the catholics of seemed to me what 80% of what lutheranism was about ... just my personal experience so any mizzo synod lutherans or catholics who have taken offense, save your typing ... i've been told many a time i'm going to hell so no need to waste your keyboard-breath on it) ...

***SPOILER AHEAD***
and i like the fact that jesus makes an appearance :)

and how did night ever find a way to put a muzzle on leary? also, if i was that kid and dana delaney were my mom, i'd be having some serious impure thoughts once i hit puberty -- not to mention julia stiles in a catholic school girl uniform sent my thought reeling into some 'let's play confessional' scenarios :P lol

a good film all-in-all and one to watch with the kids, esp if you're a dying grandpa ... you might get some late life love and respect ;)

take care,
cormac

"One star in the sky
so I named it Otis Redding"
-- John Hiatt

reply