Watch Wake

Wake is a 2009 American independent drama-thriller film directed by Ellie Kanner and starring Bijou Phillips, Ian Somerhalder, and Jane Seymour. The movie follows the story of Carys Reitman (Bijou Phillips), a young funeral director who is struggling to deal with the death of her sister, while also having to face the daily challenges associated with running a funeral home that caters to a diverse range of clients.

As the story unfolds, Carys meets probably the most complicated client she has ever had - Tyler (Ian Somerhalder), a young software genius whose girlfriend has died in a car accident. As she tries to give Tyler a meaningful funeral service, she becomes increasingly drawn to him, and the two form an unexpected bond.

However, Carys' emotional journey takes a darker turn when she discovers that her sister's death might not have been an accident, and that she may have been involved in the same tech company where Tyler worked. Determined to find out the truth, Carys starts to dig deeper into her sister's past, risking everything she has worked hard to achieve.

The film deals with the universal themes of grief, loss, and the human need for closure. Throughout the movie, the audience is taken on a journey of self-discovery as each of the main characters struggles to make sense of the cards they have been dealt in life. Bijou Phillips is convincing as the young and fragile Carys, while Ian Somerhalder gives an emotionally charged performance as the grief-stricken Tyler. Jane Seymour as the stern and authoritative funeral home owner adds another layer of complexity to the already multi-dimensional characters.

The film's pacing is slow and deliberate, mirroring the mood of the melancholic undertone that runs through every scene. The cinematography is muted, with a measured use of color and light that adds to the overall sense of gloom and despair.

However, Wake can also be viewed as a commentary on the tech industry and the pitfalls that come with it. The film's use of corporate espionage, data theft, and intellectual property infringement is a thinly veiled commentary on the real-world impact of the tech boom. While the movie maintains a sense of realism, it never feels preachy or overtly political, keeping the focus firmly on the human aspect of the story.

In conclusion, Wake is a beautifully crafted film that is more than the sum of its parts. It is a poignant and thought-provoking piece of cinema that explores the depths of human emotion while also tackling contemporary issues that are relevant to all of us. The movie strikes a balance between a gentle character study and a darker thriller, delivering a satisfying emotional punch that will linger long after the credits have rolled.

Wake is a 2009 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5.