Wide Awake (1998 film)

Wide Awake
File:Wideawakeposter.jpg Theatrical release poster
Directed by	M. Night Shyamalan
Produced by	Cathy Konrad Cary Woods
Written by	M. Night Shyamalan
Starring	Denis Leary Dana Delany Joseph Cross Rosie O'Donnell
Music by	Edmund Choi
Cinematography	Adam Holender
Edited by	Andrew Mondshein
Production company	Woods Entertainment
Distributed by	Miramax Films
Release dates	March 20, 1998 (1998-03-20)
Running time	88 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$6 million
Box office	$282,175

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

Although it was made in 1995, the film was not released until 1998. The script was written in 1991. It was nominated for "Best Family Feature — Drama" and "Best Performance in a Feature Film — Leading Young Actor" at the 1999 Young Artist Awards. Shyamalan has described Wide Awake as a comedy that he hoped would also make people cry.

Plot

During his year in the fifth grade, ten-year-old Joshua Beal (Joseph Cross) begins a personal search to find answers about life and death — a journey triggered by the passing of his beloved grandfather (Robert Loggia).

Josh attends Waldron Mercy Academy, a private Catholic boys' school. 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.

Josh shows doubts about his religion as he questions if God truly exists, particularly when Dave is diagnosed with epilepsy and the moments as Josh experiences his first crush. As his academic year comes to an end, he finds his answer in an unexpected way.

Cast

Main

• Denis Leary as Mr. Beal
• Dana Delany as Mrs. Beal
• Joseph Cross as Joshua A. Beal
• Rosie O'Donnell as Sister Terry
• Timothy Reifsnyder as Dave O'Hara
• Robert Loggia as Grandpa Beal
• Camryn Manheim as Sister Sophia
• Vicki Giunta as Sister Beatrice
• Julia Stiles as Neena Beal

Supporting

• 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 as Billy (Credited as Joseph Melito Jr.)
• 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

Cameo/Uncredited

• Gina Allegro as Nun
• Rena Anakwe as Extra
• Pierce Cravens as (singing voice)
• Stephen Dunn as School Boy
• Josh LaBove as Schoolboy
• Patsy Meck as Nun in hallway
• James Spector as (singing voice)

Reception

Wide Awake received mixed reviews from critics. Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a score of 40% based on reviews from 30 critics and reports a rating average of 4.8 out of 10.

External links

• Official site
• Wide Awake at IMDb