Awake (2007)

The story focuses on a man who suffers "anesthetic awareness" and finds himself awake and aware, but paralyzed, during heart surgery. His mother must wrestle with her own demons as a drama unfolds around them, while trying to unfold the story hidden behind her son's young wife.

Director:

Joby Harold

Writer:

Joby Harold

Stars:

Hayden Christensen, Jessica Alba, Terrence Howard

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hayden Christensen	...	Clay Beresford
Jessica Alba	...	Sam Lockwood
Terrence Howard	...	Dr. Jack Harper
Lena Olin	...	Lilith Beresford
Christopher McDonald	...	Dr. Larry Lupin
Sam Robards	...	Clayton Beresford Sr.
Arliss Howard	...	Dr. Jonathan Neyer
Fisher Stevens	...	Dr. Puttnam
Georgina Chapman	...	Penny Carver
David Harbour	...	Dracula
Steven Hinkle	...	Young Clay (as Stephen Hinkle)
Denis O'Hare	...	Financial News Analyst
Charlie Hewson	...	Brian the Orderly
Court Young	...	Officer Doherty
Joseph Costa	...	Dr. Elbogen

Storyline

While undergoing open heart surgery, a man's failed anesthetic leaves him completely alert, but paralyzed and unable to tell his doctors

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Plot Keywords:

surgery | heart | anesthetic | anesthetic awareness | heart surgery | 

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Taglines:

Every year, one in 700 people wake up during surgery.

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Genres:

Crime | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, an intense disturbing situation, and brief drug use

Details

Official Sites:

MGM [United States] Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Japanese

Release Date:

30 November 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bajo anestesia

Filming Locations:

18 East 68th Street, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$8,600,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£546,562 (UK) (4 April 2008)

Gross:

£1,484,055 (UK) (18 April 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Weinstein Company, The, GreeneStreet Films, Open City Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jessica Alba replaced Kate Bosworth after she dropped out to shoot Superman Returns.

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Goofs

The surgeon starts prepping the op site even before the anesthesiologist intubates the patient. Usually you first sedate, then anesthetize & intubate the patient before any preparations starts b/c the sedatives and hypnotics tend to make a person susceptible to hallucinations & bad trips that could be triggered by sensory input (noise, light, the cold from the disinfectant).

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Quotes

Sam Lockwood: Jack, grow some fucking balls.

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Connections

Referenced in Bad Movie Beatdown: Good Luck Chuck (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Berceuse from Jeux D'Enfants"
by Georges Bizet
Performed by The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
Courtesy of Naxos
By Arrangement with Source/Q

User Reviews

Awake

Awake adds new levels to the title of psychological thriller. Just when you think you know what's going on, a new twist rocks you with a shock bigger than the one before. With a charismatic cast and Jessica Alba going to new lengths as an actress, this movie is sure get your heart pumping. Hayden Christiansen gives new depth to the term anesthetic awareness. This movie grabs you and refuses to let go. This movie "does for operations, what Jaws did for the water"-Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter. Terrence Howard is slightly confusing and makes you wonder. Every thing is achieved, and this movie deserves more recognition than it is getting. I thank the writer Joby Harold for allowing me to slip into a deep sleep for almost two hours filled with frightening, disturbing, and brilliant dreams.