The Awakening (1995 TV Movie) User Reviews

not great, but has its moments

[JamieWJackson · 6/10 · 15 July 2014]

This is a Harlequin romance. That tells you most of what you need to know to decide if you want to watch it or not.

What I liked about it was the chemistry and one VERY entertaining scene (at least, it made me laugh out loud) about halfway through where one makes a pass at the other and... gets a response bearing absolutely NO resemblance to anything they (or I) were expecting. I won't spoil it, but it contains the line "It's not nice...". Well played, movie. Well played.

Aside from that little nugget, the rest of the movie contains few surprises, but is watchable. There are occasional moments of chemistry and decent acting, as well as some campy moments which mostly work, at least if you aren't stringent in your demands from such. Occasional eye-roll-worthy bits didn't stop me from liking the movie enough to mildly recommend it. Just don't expect the moon.

get the name right (very SLIGHT spoiler)

[angloo · 6/10 · 24 March 2012]

One thing that drives me nuts is the inability to edit or question someone else's reviews. So blanche2, if you are reading this, it has been a year since you wrote your review, and you still have yet to clue in the name of the actress playing ***the lead*** in this movie? I'll give you a hint: It's Cynthia GEARY, not Cynthia GIBB. Apparently this was no typo, as you made the same error numerous times and my writing another review is the only way to (maybe) get your attention. (I was stunned that you took the time to write over a thousand reviews. It implies you look yours over at least once.)

OK, now for my review of the actual film (yawn):

The movie was blah and boring for the most part, and quite frankly, poorly acted. There are no filming locations so I am not sure if it was a Canadian film (Sheila McCarthy usually gives it away) and the best part of it was the incredibly real hockey dialogue between the brothers talking about the early 90s Montreal Canadians (my team) and how accurate that talk would have been at that time. The dialogue seems forced between other characters, the actions are far-fetched and the lead actress would have as likely got herself killed in real life (if not merely arrested) if she tried to interfere with the workings of a bounty hunter the way she did.

I gave the movie a VERY generous 6 (take away the hockey discussion and it becomes a 3).

one line summary

[pancake_repairman · 6 July 2003]

It starts out as a cute endearing small town drama, but soon degenerates into cheesy romance novel territory, with the mundane small town woman being whisked away on a wild adventure by her mysterious handsome stranger. It's worth watching though, even if only for the hilarity of our hero delivering the ridiculous line "when I see white (picket) fences I want to burn them down", in a seductive whisper.

Awful is too nice of a word to use for this movie

[karrybelle · 1/10 · 1 May 2013]

I never read the book the movie was based on but the movie was so horrible I can't seem to bring myself to reading the book. I am sure they cut out a lot of things like they normally do when converting a book into a movie but it wasn't the movie itself I had a problem with, it was the actress.

I know there are plenty of people who will hate me and disagree with me but I thought it was a horrible performance and with that hairstyle, she was not all that pretty. I won't even start in on the Gawd awful hairdo at the end of the movie when she is playing the piano, ugh and the bad outfits through the movie. Good grief I swear who ever did the wardrobe was stuck in the 80's. Anyway, so yeah, with Cynthia Geary horrible acting I just couldn't enjoy the movie. Her acting was so bad I could not forget the movie and that is not a good reason to remember the movie. If you do not agree with me then I will tell you to go back and look at the scene in the diner where she is gloating about getting breakfast and "mooning" over him. Really? You call that good acting?? Then the supposed "sexy swagger" where she folded up her skirt and took off her jacket to try to get information from the front desk guy and telling him she was there for back rent. Her facial expressions too when singing at the piano at the end... ewww

Again, this is only my personally little tiny opinion. Others, you are more than welcome to enjoy it and dislike me for mine but it's just how I see it.

Romance movies are romance movies

[wedraughon · 7/10 · 3 June 2007]

It amazes me that people watch a movie titled "Harlequin's The Awakening" and then complain about it being a romance. It takes all kinds, I guess.

One thing that may be missed at first is that this movie is actually intended as a comedy as well as a romance with a few thriller elements at the very end. But basically, it's a romantic comedy. The first time watching it, the comic elements can be a little annoying because they are of the oops! variety.

The star and chief reason for seeing this movie is Cynthia Geary. Not just because she is beautiful--who isn't in a romance movie--but because of her enormous appeal. It's a shame that this appears to have been her only starring role. So, see it for her if for nothing else. (But not if you're expecting Citizen Kane or anything of that sort.)

A romantic movie that I liked very much!!

[mjarvis0 · 8/10 · 21 October 2008]

I was drawn to this movie and from the first few scenes I knew I'd like it. It is the classic romance formula. Boy meets girl boy antagonises girl, girl falls for boy, boy falls for girl but won't admit it. They have an adventure and eventually boy realises he loves girl tells her and they live happily ever after. The actors were credible and if there is such a thing as on screen chemistry they had it. In fact if I was Cynthia Geary's real life husband I would have been a bit nervous. This film is not designed to make you question the way the world is run but is an entertaining way to pass an hour and a half. I liked this movie and have it on DVD so when I want light entertainment I will be watching it again. Nothing beats a good feeling like a good romance.

enjoyable

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 9 June 2011]

I happen to like some of these Harlequin movies. Don't ask me why, I just do.

"The Awakening" is a 1995 TV movie that stars Cynthia Gibb and David Beecroft. Wide-eyed Gibb is very much the gamine as Sara, with a straight, short haircut and big bunny slippers as she runs around the home her parents left her trying to figure out how to keep the bank from taking it. Then a bounty hunter, Flynn, (Beecroft) comes along looking for her tenant, who seems to have gone. Sara ends up going with him on his search and gets a physical and emotional makeover along the way.

It's so great to see Beecroft, whom I enjoyed so much on Falcon Crest many years ago. He's very sexy and good in the role of a man afraid of intimacy who falls for Sara. Cynthia Gibb has a tour de force role - she's a plain Jane in the beginning, a young woman who's stifled all of her spirit due to overprotection by her parents. Working with Flynn, she's required to dress better, look better, and she's inspired to take on different roles. She's terrific, a very likable actress, and the two are great together.

You take a chance with Harlequin movies, but the good ones are fantasies and a lot of fun. Every once a while, it's nice to see an old-fashioned light romance with no special effects, no hidden meanings, no wormholes, and no violence. It's a nice break.

So how come she's so single and boring?

[hamish-11 · 21 April 2000]

OK, so it's Good Friday, I'm sitting down with a coffee and wanting to chill in front of the TV. I switch on, and catch the opening credits of the movie. No idea what it is, but decide to give it a try. Suddenly there's this babe, dressed in work gear and dragging screens about. So I stay for a while longer. The movie begins to degenerate into a predictably tame *quote* thriller *unquote* that goes nowhere, but the real story is the girl. Sure, we know she's really a live one, and we know that in the end her and the guy will end up together, but really, who cares? The chance to see the girl unfold and grow is what the movie is all about. And to be honest, it's been done a lot better, and often. So? I didn't have anything else to do for an hour and a half, so that's OK.

Average performances, given the less than average script. If you've nothing else to do, try it.

David Beecroft is fantastic.

[pbanas · 10/10 · 21 September 2004]

I have watched this movie at least 15 times. I love it. David and Cynthia are a well matched couple in this movie. I have never seen either one in a movie but I hope I get to see David again. What a great looking man. My friends think I am nuts for watching it so much, but I never get tired of watching David. The movie has everything in it from comedy to mystery and romance. Great movie!!! I am going to see if I can get more of his movies to watch. I can't figure out why David isn't more known. This is the first time I have seen him but it won't be the last. I did see Moonlight Becomes You but I don't recognize David Beecroft being in it.

Pat Banas