I went into The Awakening with no prior knowledge of what the film was about except that it was meant to be creepy and had something to do with ghosts. This is the type of film you'll want to go into mostly blind because knowing too much is a bad thing. The film is very well crafted, it knows its genre and it sits comfortably in it. Much of the film feels like its been done before. It could be easily compared to The Others, Woman In Black, or even Sixth Sense and while the film has a twist ending it doesn't really come as a surprise because as many people point out there are very few new ideas in the ghost story genre. However, that doesn't make this film any less smart or entertaining. It is well written and a good story and genuinely gave me chills in several scenes. They use the eerie country setting of the empty boys' school to their benefit and it really gets under your skin. The characters are well developed and the film really has a smart ending that insists you watch carefully to follow each twist and turn. Its not just a ghost story as it also carefully manipulates your mind and shows the downward spiral of the lead character as she investigates the paranormal.
Rebecca Hall is truly excellent in her role. They establish her very quickly as a smart, well educated woman who is a skeptic and jaded in some way. She is riveting to watch her performance as her emotions run high further into the film. She leads the cast effortlessly and shows some real chops in her role. Dominic West is good in his role, though seems to pale in comparison to Hall. His character isn't delved into quite as much so he remains a little more mysterious but he is good. The chemistry between him and Hall is okay but often feels lacking somehow. Imelda Staunton is good, if not a little typical, in her role as Maud Hill. She does a great job but the character just felt a little stale and like we had seen it done before. You know almost immediately there is more to her than meets the eye. Isaac Hempstead Wright is very good in his role as Tom, the young lad left behind when everyone else has left. I would have liked to have seen him in more depth but he does a great job with what he has.
Co-writer and director Nick Murphy is relatively new to the scene but he obviously has an enjoyment of this genre. You can see it in the finely crafted story that appropriately uses the genre elements. Ghost story fans will love this! My issue with the film is that I'm just not sure that the ending is proved by the rest of the film. I feel like there were a lot of inconsistencies in the end that didn't lead up to the twist ending and any good M. Night fan will tell you that you have to drop the smallest of clues to make the end make sense. The ending is very convoluted but in a good way. Its a smart ending and you have to stay focused so I can't fault the film makers for being clever. Its lack of originality hurts it only a little and if you love the genre, then its well worth seeing. Despite its faults, it gave me thrills and chills and entertained so check it out!! 7/10
Rebecca Hall is truly excellent in her role. They establish her very quickly as a smart, well educated woman who is a skeptic and jaded in some way. She is riveting to watch her performance as her emotions run high further into the film. She leads the cast effortlessly and shows some real chops in her role. Dominic West is good in his role, though seems to pale in comparison to Hall. His character isn't delved into quite as much so he remains a little more mysterious but he is good. The chemistry between him and Hall is okay but often feels lacking somehow. Imelda Staunton is good, if not a little typical, in her role as Maud Hill. She does a great job but the character just felt a little stale and like we had seen it done before. You know almost immediately there is more to her than meets the eye. Isaac Hempstead Wright is very good in his role as Tom, the young lad left behind when everyone else has left. I would have liked to have seen him in more depth but he does a great job with what he has.
Co-writer and director Nick Murphy is relatively new to the scene but he obviously has an enjoyment of this genre. You can see it in the finely crafted story that appropriately uses the genre elements. Ghost story fans will love this! My issue with the film is that I'm just not sure that the ending is proved by the rest of the film. I feel like there were a lot of inconsistencies in the end that didn't lead up to the twist ending and any good M. Night fan will tell you that you have to drop the smallest of clues to make the end make sense. The ending is very convoluted but in a good way. Its a smart ending and you have to stay focused so I can't fault the film makers for being clever. Its lack of originality hurts it only a little and if you love the genre, then its well worth seeing. Despite its faults, it gave me thrills and chills and entertained so check it out!! 7/10