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Netflix's catalog seems more and more like a brainstorm in Riley's head. Although the dominance of streaming platforms seems to displace more and more the essence of the movies on the big screen, the lack of exigency in the storytelling makes the public not connect with the stories presented. Or they are reheated plots already exposed or ultimately it is difficult to find a logical sense; and of course, genres such as fantasy, science fiction or fiction may have some permissibility to lack it, but there are limits to the coherence of a story.
Recently, while browsing through the variety of films shown in the N major, I decided to give a chance to a film that, although it does not contribute too much to the experience of a moviegoer, I should not leave aside its intention to give birth to an idea that will attract the viewer. So I wanted to share with the community a review and my own interpretation of this production called: Awake.
Released on June 9, 2021 under the production house Entertainment One; Paul Schiff Productions, and directed by contemporary filmmaker Mark Raso, it is a science fiction and psychological thriller genre film that did not defy popular apocalyptic-themed stories. Set in a present-day society, the plot begins with an epidemic that affects humans causing them to suffer from chronic insomnia. It is then that the story explores the damaging effects on physical mental health from the loss of a basic need.
The plot follows Laura, played by Gina Rodriguez, who in my opinion is the highlight of the film as I believe she manages to convey the anguish and desperation of her character. Laura is a former soldier who works as a security guard in a clinic and deals sleeping pills to get more money in her pocket. With a past of alcoholism, post-traumatic effects of her service to the nation and the loss of custody of her children, Laura does her best not to lose her mind when that epidemic comes at an unexpected moment, and even less so when she realizes that her youngest daughter is not affected like the rest.
The story progresses with the premise that Laura, whose desperation almost oozes from every pore of her skin, tries to make a decision regarding the welfare of her children. The three embark on a difficult path in the quest to get help, or give it, in case offering her daughter for studies and experiments is the best option. The narrative becomes unsettling at times, exploring how sleep deprivation can blur the lines between the real and the imaginary. However, there is no real deep development in the characters, they just share the weariness of not knowing what else to do.
Using a cool color palette and deep shadows that reflect the hopelessness and internal chaos, I must say that the production did manage to capture the emotions from well composed shots. Some sequential shots created an oppressive atmosphere, and certain exposed scenes make you wonder about the ideologies and depths of human beings, but the speed of moving to the next scene doesn't allow you to go too deep into it, missing key points that could give the viewer something to talk about; Personally, I would have liked to see a little more of the chaos that broke out among the believers of Christianity as they fell into despair due to their inability to give their minds rest and their union in considering it a test of their God, having so much fervor in it that they were capable of sacrificing and killing one of their own.
The script is predictable, but that doesn't mean that there aren't moments of tension present that keep you on your toes. I like the fact that the protagonist is faced with ethical and moral dilemmas that test her humanity, and I find it all the more interesting that she is not the personification of a saint. The additional interactions don't add much depth to the story, but certain contributions that added helpfully to save the story stand out, even if they had zero congruency.
I would like to highlight the one line that stood out to me in the entire film, and that is when Laura, our protagonist, very pointedly tells her daughter, If anyone comes I want you to hide and not come out, especially if they are men. The impact of that little phrase does a lot in the minds of all women.
The premise had caught my attention, but it was more disappointing than expected. As someone who has suffered from insomnia since adolescence, the consequences and the whole analysis don't seem accurate, but I recognize that the basic idea is a good foundation.
One thing that may have impacted insomnia the most is how it affects interpersonal relationships. Connections are often weakened, and in the sum of stress and anxiety, it makes an unhealthy cocktail for rational and psychomotor functioning. Lack of sleep leads to irritability, distrust and a growing sense of isolation, which for those who have a stable quality of sleep, it becomes difficult to understand for those who do not. The film invites the viewer to reflect on the importance of rest, but the imbalance between the elements at work does not allow the viewer to connect or understand.
Still, it must be remembered that the mind can become a dangerous place when it is deprived of a basic need such as sleep.
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