WAKE UP/ AWAKE
US, 2019, 92 minutes, Colour.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers, William Forsythe, Francesca Eastwood, Malik Yoba, James Austin Kerr.
Aleksander Chernyaev.
This is an amnesia story. Jonathan Rhys Meyers plays a young man who is menaced on the Highway, forced off, crashing, injuries, waking up in hospital with amnesia. But, there is a body of a dead woman in the boot of his car.
There is a serial killer about and he becomes the main suspect. However, he escapes, is helped by the nurse at the hospital who is sympathetic (Francesca Eastwood) who takes him to a friend’s house, helping him in his recovery, but given evidence that he is the killer.
Also involved is the local sheriff, William Forsythe, whose wife has died in violent circumstances, his sportsmen son living at home. A detective friend of the sheriff becomes involved in the pursuit.
There is a good twist in the final revelation of who the young man is – leading to a further twist as to who the killer is.
Maybe there are holes in the plot and some of the action might seem far-fetched. But, while it is on the screen, and with the twists, it is interesting and entertaining.
1. The title? Injury, coma, amnesia?
2. The American town, homes, streets, hospitals, the open road? The musical score?
3. The initial driving, the open spaces and roads, the driver, the pursuing car, the push, the crash, injuries, the later discovery of the car, the patient taken to hospital, injuries, treatment, waking, amnesia?
4. Roger, the police, at home, his son in sport? Frank, detective work, working with Roger? Their friendship? The beginning of the inquiries, interrogations, the murders, the photos and body in the car, suspicions of the injured man?
5. The investigations, circumstances of the murders, the floral crown, the bodies? The body discovered in the trunk of the car?
6. Diana, nurse, compassion, believing him? His behaviour, his ability, the escape, her car? Driving, his collapse? Her taking him to her friend? His suspicions? Yet cooperating? Dismayed at the evidence against him?
7. The mystery of the injured man, his skills in effecting his escape? The evidence against him?
8. Memory gradually coming back, the men attacking him and killing Diana’s friend? His going to Oliver’s house? Hitting him, escaping?
9. The continued pursuit, Frank and his being desperate? Roger and his work?
10. The man discovering who he was, the audience surprise that he was a detective, that he was investigating the murders?
11. Roger and his story, the death of his wife, his son? Protecting him? Hiring the thugs? The car and the pursuit, expecting the detective to die?
12. The explanations, the detective as an honourable man, the friendship with Roger, another son, friendship with Oliver? Oliver and his madness? The murders? Roger killing himself?
