Wide Awake

Infobox Film
name = Wide Awake


caption = Theatrical release poster
director = M. Night Shyamalan
producer = Bob Weinstein
Harvey Weinstein
writer = M. Night Shyamalan
starring = Joseph Cross
Dana Delany
Denis Leary
Robert Loggia
Rosie O'Donnell
music = Edmund Choi
cinematography = Adam Holender
editing = Andrew Mondshein
distributor = Miramax Films
released = March 20, 1998
runtime = 88 min.
country = flagicon|USA
language = English
budget = $7 million
gross = $258,212
imdb_id = 0120510

"Wide Awake" is a 1998 comedy-drama film written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan and produced by Cary Woods and Cathy Konrad. The film stars Joseph Cross, Rosie O'Donnell, Dana Delaney, Denis Leary, and Robert Loggia. "Wide Awake" also features Julia Stiles in one of her earliest roles as Josh's teenage sister, Neena.

Although it was made in 1995, the film was not released until 1998. It was nominated for "Best Family Feature - Drama" and "Best Performance in a Feature Film - Leading Young Actor" at the 1999 Young Artist Awards. It is the only Shyamalan-directed film to date in which the director does not make a cameo appearance. Shyamalan has described "Wide Awake" as a comedy that he hoped would also make people cry.

Plot

The film revolves around the themes of family, growing up, and finding truth. The story is told through the eyes of ten year old Joshua Beal (Joseph Cross) who is searching for answers after the death of his beloved grandfather (Robert Loggia). Josh is a fifth grader at Waldron Mercy Academy, a private Catholic boys school (where Shyamalan attended and where much of the movie is filmed). The adults in his world have not been able to convince him that his grandfather is in good hands, so he sets out on a personal mission to find God. In their varying ways he is guided on his metaphorical journey by his best friend Dave (Timothy Reifsnyder) and a baseball-loving nun (Rosie O'Donnell), who teaches at his school. The film depicts Josh's doubts about his religion as he questions if God truly exists, particularly when Dave is diagnosed with epilepsy and the poignant, sweet moments as Josh experiences his first crush.

Cast

*Joseph Cross as Joshua A. Beal
*Timothy Reifsnyder as Dave O'Hara
*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
*Julia Stiles as Neena Beal
*Dan Lauria as Father Peters

External links

* [http://www.mnightfans.com/wideawake Official site]
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