Wake (2009)

One of my all time favorites.

As Good As It Gets

A Masterpiece!

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

I thought the movie started strong. Carys meets Tyler at his fiancé's funeral. It is completely absurd and offensive how he carries himself. How on Earth could you be flirting with a girl you met at your fiancé's funeral? Do yourself a favor and don't watch this movie. It's not endearing to fall in love with a woman you meet at your beloved's funeral it's appalling. I didn't even bother to continue watching this film as soon as the scene began with Carys and Tyler in a restaurant flirting with each other. I couldn't bear a second more of such a frivolous display of love. This movie insults the very nature of human emotion and the character Tyler seems unmoved by his fiancé's tragic death. However if you have no concept of love and the plot of this movie does not offend your ideals of what romance should be then go ahead and watch this piece of trash.

I had no idea what to expect from this, but I'm familiar with Bijou Phillip's work and although she usually plays trashy characters, this one is definitely her best role yet and would love to see her play more of them. There was something different about her, she looked fantastic! She comes off as a quirky, sweet, off-beat woman called Carys (pronounced Care-riss) who apparently has no feelings towards others until she attends a strangers funeral and meets her future love, Tyler (Ian Somerhalder) who's mourning the death of his fiancé, Anna. Carys lives with her hilarious roommate Lila (Marguerite Moreau) who has major issues of her own, she also shares personal thoughts with her best friend Shane (Danny Masterson), a funeral director who is accused by Tyler for possibly taking Anna's engagement ring that has mysteriously disappeared off her finger. Meanwhile, Carys later discovers that Tyler may be hiding something too.The movie had great chemistry between the characters and I found it perfectly engaging, which is rare for me when it comes to these rare types of story lines that sound like it might be awful but completely surprises you in the end. I would definitely call it original, something you wouldn't expect in a movie.It pretty much offers everything from plenty of light humor that doesn't overshadow the rest of the film, romance with a touch of mystery/suspense. Depending on the way you view it, it's actually kind of tragic, too, because the story deals with the death of a loved one, more than once. One thing I would change about the film is a little more emphasis on Tyler's dead fiancé, Anna, maybe some flashbacks of their time together? I think if we met her, instead of just hearing about how wonderful she was, we would feel more sympathy for Tyler losing her.It's not a sappy PG-13 romantic-comedy type, although it may seem that way in the beginning with the whole ring thing. (Rated R for language although not frequent - more than one f-word, and two love scenes - one being particularly steamy without nudity). I would say it's something that's worth watching more than once (seen it twice) and if you don't take the dialog too seriously, you will most likely enjoy it too.

Okay, I'm gonna be completely honest here. The only reason I sat down to watch this movie is Ian. Well, that and the good reviews certain people wrote. I really liked Carys's hobby - going to funerals; I thought it was unusual, but also something no one ever thought of before (or at least it was new to me). The plot however ... I guess they needed something the movie to revolve around so they came up with the part about the ring. Terrible, terrible idea. I was ready to get over it, after all I was only 15 min in, so I decided to give this movie a chance. Next thing you know the grieving fiancé falls for his dead girl alleged friend. Really?! Also I hated Bijou's poor acting skills; Or maybe it was the bad script? I go back and forth on that. Anyways, the only good thing about this movie is Danny Masterson, he tries really hard, but is not given enough to work with.

I loved this movie - great chemistry between actors - go Bijou - loved her! The writing is top notch and has a couple plot twists you don't see coming, which is rare these days. Great Indie movie! I loved the best friend of Bijou who I thought was extremely funny! It's fun to see Danny Masterson act with Bijou, who I just read were engaged! The music is also wonderful, I totally want the soundtrack! It's fun to see an Indie movie with heart and soul instead of these big guns, big stars Blockbuster movies. I really loved this experience - I had a glass of nice wine and and just sat back and relaxed this great movie! A++ I wish more small Indie movies like this would come out!