Wake

I was fortunate to see this film at the San Jose Film Festival last year when I visited my brother and his family. Our group of eight ranged in ages from ten to two senior citizens. To say the least, there was a fair amount of debate, but we decided we were intrigued with the title "Wake" and decided to see it.

It was such a delightful movie! We all enjoyed it. The story line was very different and clever (always refreshing!). We were not familiar with Bijou Phillips before this movie, but she was perfectly cast as the heroine or protagonist. I'm going to watch for more of her movies in the future. We especially liked the scene where she had to play dead for the nephews visiting the morgue; the entire theater was laughing so loudly!

I intend to buy the DVD soon for my collection.

I loved this movie - great chemistry between actors - go Bijou - loved her! The writing is top notch and has a couple plot twists you don't see coming, which is rare these days. Great Indie movie! I loved the best friend of Bijou who I thought was extremely funny! It's fun to see Danny Masterson act with Bijou, who I just read were engaged! The music is also wonderful, I totally want the soundtrack! It's fun to see an Indie movie with heart and soul instead of these big guns, big stars Blockbuster movies. I really loved this experience - I had a glass of nice wine and and just sat back and relaxed this great movie! A++ I wish more small Indie movies like this would come out!

I had no idea what to expect from this, but I'm familiar with Bijou Phillip's work and although she usually plays trashy characters, this one is definitely her best role yet and would love to see her play more of them. There was something different about her, she looked fantastic! She comes off as a quirky, sweet, off-beat woman called Carys (pronounced Care-riss) who apparently has no feelings towards others until she attends a strangers funeral and meets her future love, Tyler (Ian Somerhalder) who's mourning the death of his fiancé, Anna. Carys lives with her hilarious roommate Lila (Marguerite Moreau) who has major issues of her own, she also shares personal thoughts with her best friend Shane (Danny Masterson), a funeral director who is accused by Tyler for possibly taking Anna's engagement ring that has mysteriously disappeared off her finger. Meanwhile, Carys later discovers that Tyler may be hiding something too.

The movie had great chemistry between the characters and I found it perfectly engaging, which is rare for me when it comes to these rare types of story lines that sound like it might be awful but completely surprises you in the end. I would definitely call it original, something you wouldn't expect in a movie.

It pretty much offers everything from plenty of light humor that doesn't overshadow the rest of the film, romance with a touch of mystery/suspense. Depending on the way you view it, it's actually kind of tragic, too, because the story deals with the death of a loved one, more than once. One thing I would change about the film is a little more emphasis on Tyler's dead fiancé, Anna, maybe some flashbacks of their time together? I think if we met her, instead of just hearing about how wonderful she was, we would feel more sympathy for Tyler losing her.

It's not a sappy PG-13 romantic-comedy type, although it may seem that way in the beginning with the whole ring thing. (Rated R for language although not frequent - more than one f-word, and two love scenes - one being particularly steamy without nudity). I would say it's something that's worth watching more than once (seen it twice) and if you don't take the dialog too seriously, you will most likely enjoy it too.

"Wake" is a weird type of movie, completely unique and original, and because it's so off-kilter, you're left thinking about it after it ends.

It is marketed as a quirky romantic comedy. It isn't, but that is how it begins. Bijou Phillips stars as Carys Reitman, an emotionally-stunted pretty girl who is searching for a life connection. Not a guy, but emotion, to be able to feel the same way inside as others do. Of course she meets a guy. You expect the movie to continue as a romantic comedy, with comedic lines from her roommate and friends, and the usual awkwardness when the girl keeps lies from the guy.

Instead, "Wake" took a fairly dark turn, and meandered through various genres not usually associated with romantic comedy. I was pleased that it didn't take the predictable route, but I was also put off by how weird and jarring the film had become.

Ultimately, the film is a character drama about Carys. In this regard the film was quite good, Carys is a unique and original character, she has her flaws and she is captivating. Carys' journey to understand herself and human nature is beautiful.

Becareful of labelling this as a romantic comedy, and be on the look out for odd turns, but as a character drama this film can be enjoyed. If you're looking for something different that you can't quite put your finger on, then "Wake" is your choice.

Rented the movie and enjoyed it so much, I purchased it. Lighthearted and fun given the situations. Phillips does a great job here trying to come to grips with the death of her sister years earlier and her parents misguided attempts to shelter her from the loss. Somerhalder is amazing as Tyler. Dealing with the loss of his fiancé, her sisters suspicions that he killed her and meeting a woman that changes his life. It tackled many serious subjects without dragging the movie down. The supporting cast is great as well. The roommate with boyfriend issues, the mortician/friend who listens to all of her problems, while he's obviously in love with her, her parents who tried their best, but caused more damage and the deceased fiancés sister who hires a PI to uncover the truth about her sisters death.