Wake - Totenwache

The reason I went to see Wake was because of Gale Harold, who gives a superbly credible performance here as Kyle, one of the four Riven brothers who reunite for one long night of insane plotting and torturous reminiscing, culminating in disaster (as these nights always do). What sets this film apart from other dysfunctional family reunion rehashes is how realistic it feels -- you genuinely get the sense that these four wrecks actually share history, which is very hard to depict - most writers wind up over-stating the facts to let the audience in on it, but first-time screenwriter Henry LeRoy Finch manages to convey their shared anguish without doing this -- he tells us just enough, relying on mood and the actions of the characters to fill in the rest.

This is not a movie that you sit down, watch quietly and then forget about. I just wish to clarify this now. Animated discussions amongst my friends were abound following the screening of this film and to date they are continuing.

I saw this film in the presence of a group of friends, however whilst watching, was unaware of their proximity. From the beginning I was drawn in to the story and remained as such until the credits began to roll.

The film focuses on the relationship between four brothers who, although obviously connected, are of different personalities and spheres of existence. We see into their psyches for brief moments and come to understand their places within the family and the world in which they have carved their niche.

All the actors perform superbly and with a fluidity that enhances the subtext of the dialogue. In particular, Gale Harold (of Showtime's Queer as Folk), in an inspired performance, conveys the vulnerability of his character openly and sometimes, heartbreakingly to the audience.

The director, producer and editor of this movie have much to be proud of, as unlike most films nowadays, all the answers are not displayed to the audience with neon lights flashing. They are carefully hidden within the storyline and camera angles. This aura of mystery seeps through to the audience who find themselves captivated and curious, empathizing with the characters through their own experiences and needing to know how it will all end.

This is a film that I could watch more than once, knowing that new feelings and insights could be gained with each viewing. My only wish... to view this movie again.

Four actors who look nothing like brothers get together to do some bad acting while pretending to be brothers and after a night of pills, booze, gunplay and strippers someone ends up dead.

I'm all for keeping the audience guessing but there is nothing that these people say to each other that is straightforward, everything is alluded to and it gets old quick. That being said, you don't need to be a genius to figure out what's going on here, that is, assuming that you care.

Ex-con bro and blonde-sleaze bro are both so annoying that I was hoping the booze and pills would promptly render them null and void. Even the talented and yummy Gale Harold as crazy bro can't salvage this material -though he does do a fetching drunken strip tease and he can puke and pass out with the best of 'em. The other bro, well, his name was Sebastian and that's about all I remember.

The house looks like a studio set built too small for the actors, either that or the only thing the actors/brothers have in common is that they are tall.

In keeping with tradition started with my Particles of Truth review I'd like to add that Gale Harold looks better in a lacy housedress than any man has a right to.

Brilliant feels inadequate to describe this film. It is beautifully filmed, superbly edited, and amazingly acted.

Basically, it's a film focusing on four brothers, with a shared history of alcoholism and abuse, inflicted upon them, and by them, and their unexpected coming together for a night of celebration, freedom, and finality, that quickly turns on it's heel. Gale Harold and Blake Gibbons will take your breathe away. As raw and intense as it is, there is still plenty of humor, though at first, you'll be hesitant to laugh, but do, because there is plenty to laugh at. When Jack says "what's the difference between pink and purple? The grip!" It really is okay to exhale, and laugh.... It's a real film that doesn't end with some pretty satin bow at the end, but makes you think, and makes you want to see it over and over again....

A very dark, haunting movie but excellent acting, especially by Gale Harold and Blake Gibbons. The four brothers in this dysfunctional family collide by circumstance and the story's spiral downward flow is brilliantly brought about by the superb acting. Lavish sets and locations are not necessary and not missed as the whole pivotal story centres around the childhood home of Jack, Kyle, Sebastian and Raymond. The story is told by the older Sebastian, as portrayed by Martin Landau. A must-see for Gale Harold fans. My mind definitely didn't wander off throughout the whole movie. The range of emotions portrayed is riveting and the actors must have gone home drained. Excellent music score and directing.