Linbeymusol Wonderful character development!

Lawbolisted Powerful

Tedfoldol everything you have heard about this movie is true.

Mathilde the Guild Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Raul Faust That's why I love Shyamalan productions! "Wide Awake" tells a beautiful story about a young boy who tries to find God after his grandfather dies. It's nice to notice that Shyamalan likes to involve faith and religion in his pictures, mostly gathered with an atheist vain, and that's maybe what I liked the most about this film. Joshua is an obedient and affectionate child that asks himself all the time if there is a god or no, which is an idea that probably inspired 2001's "Artificial Intelligence: AI" and 2002's "Signs". It's refreshing to re-notice how strong Shyamalan's power of direction is, considering he's able to make profound sentimental scenes without trying too hard. The scenes in which Joshua talks to his grandfather are touching and soo beautiful to see that I asked myself "Why didn't I see this before?". I dare to confess I find Joseph Cross' acting even BETTER than Haley Joel Osment's in "The Sixth Sense"-- and so is the story. GREAT hidden gem, give it a chance!

Cristi_Ciopron The appeal of Shyamalan comes from understated emotions, from understatements generally; I had read about him long before I have seen any of his movies. I understood nothing from his 1st Willis movie—the reversal included. Later, reading criticism, I did not understand what was it that I had missed in that movie. I enjoyed the Gibson movie more than the two Willis outings. But there he jettisoned all understatement. Then, I saw an earlier movie of Shyamalan—that with the Pope and the kid, etc., Shyamalan's hazy recollections of his Catholic schooling. That was 7 ½ yrs. ago; since then, I stopped following his career. But from what I remember of his movies, almost without fondness, it seems as if the subduing, the understatements, the … are what gives him any charm at all.

Gunn For his first film, M. Night Shyamalan, leaves much to be desired in this film. It's not really a bad film, maybe mediocre at best. Nothing wrong with the story, but the film is very low energy and a bit too sugary for my taste. The acting is weak, the directing is slow paced and not involving and I found myself nodding off occasionally. Maybe I needed a nap but I don't think so. The story involves a child's quest to find God after his beloved grandfather dies. Most of the film takes place in a Catholic Boys Academy and the hijinks that ensue are very corny and cheesy. Rosie O'Donnell and Camryn Manheim were OK as nuns but the young cast were all below par as actors. The good news is that Shyamalan did survive this to direct "Sixth Sense", "Unbreakable" and "Signs".

HRoss007 I got to see this movie this weekend. I had to BUY a copy to get this one, and I Loved it. Maybe I have been slow to get into M. Night Shyamalan movies. I saw "Sixth Sense" and "Lady in the Water" close to when they came out. Then after "The Happening" I decided I had to see ALL of his Movies in the last couple of weeks. I'm glad I saw most of his works and some DVD Extras before I saw this one. If it had come out AFTER some of his better grossing movies, this might have been appreciated as one of his best ever! (Following "Sixth Sense" and "Signs" anyway.) I feel that this movie may be a bit Autobiographical, and would love to confirm that with something more than Movie Trivia correlations. I can't believe this early in his Movie Making he gets Rosie O'Donnell, Camryn Manheim, and Julia Stiles to play supporting Roles! This is the same guy who gets Kids into Roles BEFORE They get Oscars!Shyamalan's works are always more than one layer of meaning, as might be hinted in double entendre of the Titles. I see Josh's search for God, not as a doubt of his faith, but as the first search for the meaning of the faith he saw in his Grandfather. There are so many reason's I loved this film besides the obvious art of Writing / Directing of Shyamalan and this wonderful Supporting Cast that I mentioned above. The hints as to Shyamalan's personal history? The fact that the character Josh has both parents as Doctors; Josh at an Early Age seeking more Meaning in Life than his peers; Josh in a Parochial School. I'm sure there's more I missed, and will view again when I am more Wide Awake.