Matialth Good concept, poorly executed.

Contentar Best movie of this year hands down!

Bergorks If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

Fleur Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Zacio Geribello I liked the reviews about this movie, they form a high level indirect discussion, and I agree with the majority of the analysis that was made. This is a movie about the fragility of life, however, it's also a story that somehow shows the unbelievable force life has, and the very special ways it's revealed, through the story of Joleen, her daughter Tara and Uncle James. Little caring about the other actions, the feeling of one missing the other, and each one of them doing the little they can, when all their resources and possibilities seem to have been gone away.They are capable of only tiny little actions, compared to the huge power of the way things apparently are, the "big pictures" that rule our lives in this world. From underneath their helpless situation, a trip back to the family ranch, a very simple and touching birthday present, a bad joke that makes the little girl laugh, a game the smart kid establishes with her uncle, and that makes them closer, the smiles of Tara, her playing with the other kids, all of that kind of gradually rescues their ability to live, but it still seems to be so far from enough, in their needs. All the time, though, they're trying to do what they think is correct, they're trying to do something good about their lives, and that is a very touching drama, that moves directly towards a conflict with the old and rough father/grandfather.Personally, I enjoyed very much the symbolism and some poetic language this movie works with. The birthday present, the "Christmas tree" actually shows them struggling hard with their limitations. Under these conditions, life is not really possible for Uncle James, unless he's kind of sleepwalking. Tara at the same time needs him as her last connection and hope of a "regular" life, and she could possibly "awake" him, because of her needs and expectations, but also because she's full of emotion and has great people skills. While all this happens, Joleen has a time to try something different, or to learn better about her life, if there is time or opportunity.The actors were really great, especially Nick Stall and Annasophia Robb. The other were already very famous and renowned. Annasophia's career is very impressive and I look forward to seeing her becoming one of the top Hollywood grown up actresses. She seems to be escalating the steps and styles of actresses like Sissy Spacek, Michelle Pfeiffer, Julia Roberts, Charlize Theron, Carla Gugino, Emily Blunt and other great examples.

TxMike Charlize Theron produced this movie and takes the key role as the whacked out mother. While it is a key role, it still must be regarded as a supporting role. When the movie begins she and her 12 year old daughter are forced to move out of her boyfriend's place when he is arrested for dope and growing it. Their only short-term hope is to crash at her brother's spartan place, with no real plan. The daughter just wants to live the way a normal 12-year-old school girl lives but with mom that seems pretty well impossible.Nick Stahl is good as the brother, James. AnnaSophia Robb is superb as the daughter, Tara. And of course Charlize Theron is the mom, Joleen.When mom goes out one evening and never returns, things change even more. Then when James, a rather "dull" person, loses his menial job, and already 60 days behind on his rent, they have to look for even more drastic solutions. They end up taking a road trip, and that trip takes them back to the farm where his dad still lives and works the farm.Joleen had often said that she would NEVER go back to that place and we soon find out why. Dennis Hopper as Mr. Reedy, "Dad", is about the most severe person you could find. He won't allow them any rest, or vacation, he gets both of them up at the crack of dawn and requires them to work all day. Tara quickly figures out why her mom hates that place and had severed ties with grandpa. The movie examines their plight and the theme, per the title, is for the main players to see if they can quit sleepwalking through life and get on a better, happier track. By the end it appears that they will.SPOILERS: James is able to tolerate his severe dad, at least at first, because he had no choice. No money and no place to go. But one day when dad starts to beat Tara in the barn when he doesn't like her attitude, James beats him with a large shovel and kills him. He travels back to home, where Tara and Joleen are reunited, but James keeps on trucking. We don't know what happened to him.

MrGKB I'll give you two: AnnaSophia "Bridge to Terabithia" Robb and Nick "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" Stahl. Their performances in this fledgling directorial effort from Bill "The Chumscrubber" Maher are simply outstandingly well-crafted realizations, assisted by other fine showings from the likes of Charlize "The Devil's Advocate" Theron, Dennis "Easy Rider" Hopper, Woody "Cheers" Harrelson, and Deborra-Lee "Hugh Jackman is one lucky wolverine!" Furness. Zac "The Chumscrubber" Stanford's script gives them everything they need to create a lasting relationship in an impermanent world, drawing the audience deep into their dysfunctional tragedy. Anyone who appreciates intelligent storytelling and great acting should be pleased.Essentially a coming-of-age movie (and not just the youngster), "Sleepwalking" follows the odyssey of a man and his niece. It's a fine character-driven piece, thanks to great work from its leads, dialog with a resonance of truth, and excellent DP work from Juan Ruiz "Glengarry Glen Ross" Anchía. It's a shame that so few IMDbers have seen this one, but it's their loss. Sure, it's not targeted to the twenty-something crowd. Sure, the explosions and other eye-candy are lacking, but you know, kiddies, sometimes you just have to grit your teeth and try something outside your normal purview. You might just find out that you've been denying yourself a lot of interesting entertainment.Btw, those who might complain about the unlikelihood of James seeking out his father (in light of what we learn about them both) should have paid closer attention to the dialog, and to the relationship between James and his sister, for some subtle hints. Sometimes one cannot escape one's oppression with mere physical distance.

coachgig i was very very satisfied with the way this movie turned out. it had more then i expected of this. although it would have been nice if the character that Dennis hopper played was not abusive. and if the character was also close to the son and daughter and grandchild together. if the grandfather would change and act like a real parent should then nick stahl's character wouldn't have to be so upset in the first place and that AnnaSophia robb's character wouldn't have gotten hurt. but i'll set that aside because thats not important. although abusive is a serious crime but thats not the focus to this movie. the thing here is that what everyone should look for in a movie that how hard these actors and actresses try and how they accomplished to be in this movie and thats what will make movies really good. you focus on how hard these movie makers and actors and actresses try together thats when you'll notice they made a good movie. this movie i give it an automatic A+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ For excellent work and excellent performance and everything. I am very inspired by annasophia robb's career. What she is doing for these films is very important to Hollywood. and so are the rest of the actors. and the directors. Good job to all of them.