Wide Awake (1998)

40% of critics liked it
(30 reviews)
64% of users liked it
(4,417 ratings)

In this film by writer-director M. Night Shyamalan, a young boy learns lessons about life and God during a trying year of discovery in fifth grade at a Catholic boys' school. As the school year opens, Joshua Beal (Joseph Cross) is despondent over the recent death of his grandfather (Robert Loggia).… More In this film by writer-director M. Night Shyamalan, a young boy learns lessons about life and God during a trying year of discovery in fifth grade at a Catholic boys' school. As the school year opens, Joshua Beal (Joseph Cross) is despondent over the recent death of his grandfather (Robert Loggia). On his first day at school, Joshua is harassed by the class bully. Because his grandfather played football, Joshua tries out for the school team, over the objections of his parents (Dana Delaney and Denis Leary), two physicians who don't like the risk of injury. But Joshua is inept athletically and does not make the team. Joshua continues to seek answers from God about his grandfather, so his teacher, Sister Terry (Rosie O'Donnell), advises him to approach a cardinal who is coming to visit the nearby girls school. Joshua meets a young girl at the school and falls for her. As the year goes by, Joshua continues his quest for spiritual answers and finds them in unexpected places, such as a winter snowstorm. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 28 min.
Directed By: M. Night Shyamalan
Written By: M. Night Shyamalan
Genres: Drama, Kids & Family, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 20, 1998 Wide
On DVD: Mar 28, 2001
Studio: Miramax

Critic Reviews

Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
A wonderful family film that deals sensitively, and even with humor, with a fairly unusual situation for the screen: a 9-year-old's struggles with his faith in God.
Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle
Children, too, will be bored to tears navigating through some of the talky spiritual gunk.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
I was aware of the problems, but that didn't diminish the warm, fuzzy glow I was experiencing.
Jeff Millar, Houston Chronicle
The fact is, just too many of the characters and plot points are right out of the stock room: the obligatory fat kid; the obligatory bully; the obligatory kid whose parents can't really afford Catholic school tuition ...
Stephen Holden, New York Times
Beneath its suffocating, smug sentimentality, you have to look hard to uncover a single moment of truth and genuine feeling.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
I wonder who the movie was made for.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Earnest, overly familiar coming-of-age tale
Blake Davis, KFOR Channel 4 News
A pretentious, preachy first movie from an arguably great filmmaker.
Tom Meek, Film Threat
The film pursues its sensitive material with the appropriate degree of care, but the direction by M. Night Shyamalan turns potentially provocative moments into dull eddies of melodrama.
Margaret A. McGurk, Cincinnati Enquirer
The movie's greatest strength is in its willingness to admit that the mysteries of life and death are as difficult for children as for adults.
Kim Williamson, Boxoffice Magazine
In a moviemaking world dominated by attention to secular matters, the parochial Wide Awake is a refreshing change of pace.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
This wonder-filled film proves that questions can be powerful allies on a spiritual journey.

Read all 12 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

Absolute bile! It?s not funny, it has Julia Stiles in it, it has annoying 9 year old boys talking like adults in it and a predictable ending, and not a particularly good one at that! I'm glad Shyamalan was given the go ahead for The Sixth Sense based on this, as I liked it but I… More
Absolute bile! It?s not funny, it has Julia Stiles in it, it has annoying 9 year old boys talking like adults in it and a predictable ending, and not a particularly good one at that! I'm glad Shyamalan was given the go ahead for The Sixth Sense based on this, as I liked it but I sure as hell wouldn't have!
Leigh R

Such a cute little film with a strong message.
Jackson W

Adorable, down-to-earth, and spiritually in-depth. There's more to this film than what you may have heard.
Kevin M

Shyamalan's 1st commercial film is certainly one worth watching. This film focuses on a 5th-grader's journey to find god following his grandfather's passing, and his year-long adventures leading up to his final revelation. I'm not a believer in god, but this film… More
Shyamalan's 1st commercial film is certainly one worth watching. This film focuses on a 5th-grader's journey to find god following his grandfather's passing, and his year-long adventures leading up to his final revelation. I'm not a believer in god, but this film is very heart-warming. Joseph Cross is an amazing actor at such a young age. Leary, Loggia, Stiles, Delaney and Reifsnyder provide great supporting roles which do not subtract from the film's charm. O'Donnell fits well in this film. Unlike the real world, Shyamalan's film is non-abusive in its faithful message of enlightenment. The plot is easy to understand, and does not steer the audience with dogmatic tension or fear.

Cast

            Joseph Cross as Joshua Beal

            Dana Delany as Mrs. Beal

            Denis Leary as Mr. Beal

            Robert Loggia as Grandpa Beal

            Rosie O'Donnell as Sister Terry

            Camryn Manheim as Sister Sophia

            Vicki Giunta as Sister Beatrice

            Julia Stiles as Neena Beal

            Heather Casler as Hope

            Dan Lauria as Father Peters

            Stefan Niemczyk as Frank Benton

            Michael Pacienza as Freddie Waltman

            Michael Shulman as Robert Brickman

            Jaret Ross Barron as Dan

            Jarrett Abello as John

            Joseph Melito Jr. as Billy

            Peter A. Urban Jr. as Newman

            Jahmal Curtis as Student

            Michael Craig Bigwood as Little Boy

            Gil Robbins as Cardinal Geary

            Marc H. Glick as Father Sebastian

            Robert K. O'Neill as Young Priest

            Deborah Stern as Mrs. Waltman

            Joey Perillo as Mr. Waltman

            Jerry Walsh as Football Coach

            Liam Mitchell as Gym Teacher

            Charles Techman as Janitor

            Antoine McLean as Wilson

            Arleen Goman as Mrs. Pitman

            Mets Suber as Race Starter
See full cast

Wide Awake (1998)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

Leigh R

Jackson W

Kevin M

Cast