Rating: 
Summary: Wow, what a film...
Review: I heard so many great things about this film, so I actually bought the DVD without ever seeing it. And man, did it blow me away. Wonderful performances from Billy Crudup and Jennifer Connelly along with a great script and superb directing make "Waking the Dead" a joyful, haunting film about lost love, sanity, politics, and doing what you can to stay alive and get what you want in the modern world.
Rating:
Summary: Easily, the best film of the decade
Review: "Waking The Dead" was almost never made. If it weren't for Jodie Foster's production company, Scott Spencer's remarkable novel would never have seen the big screen and Keith Gordon would only be remembered primarily for the very dark indie "Mother Night." Billy Crudup and Jennifer Connelly would never have graced the big screen together so strongly as they had in Pat O'Connor's "Inventing The Abbotts" and the world would never have known what true love really is.The basic premise of the film is that young Fielding Pierce (Billy Crudup), a budding politician, cannot forget his former girlfriend, Sarah Williams (Jennifer Connelly), who was killed in a violent terrorist action years before. As a matter of fact, as his life comes to a crossroads and he is about to enter the U.S. Senate, her face, her image, and her voice haunt his every moment, causing him to question everything about his present existence. Fielding sees and hears Sarah everywhere around him; is she really dead, or is she still alive? First and foremost, it should be noted that Billy Crudup and Jennifer Connelly show more stunning on-screen chemistry than any other couple I have ever watched before. From the moment Crudup cries at the image of Connelly on the television, on through the next 106 minutes, you are totally convinced that these two are in love. It is beyond captivating; as a matter of fact, it is nearly alarming how they interact. They are just THAT perfect. The direction and screenplay (mostly done by Keith Gordon, although the script is credited to someone else due to WGA regulation) are exquisite, not contrived and desperate as some love stories go. The supporting cast contains Academy-Award nominees Ed Harris (in a cameo) and Janet McTeer, as well as the beautiful Molly Parker and the enormously talented Sandra Oh. Each of them hit the mark. Like "Map Of The World," a film that came out the same week, "Waking The Dead" was ignored by the Academy but certainly should have been lauded for its amazing acting, direction and screenplay as well as the beautifully stark image of love lasting forever that encompassed the entire film. For me, it is difficult to imagine how something of this calibre could have been ignored. But, in my heart, I know that the first month of the decade gave us the best film of the next ten years. You don't need the Academy to tell you that. And, as a screenwriter, I hope that I am lucky enough to work with folks like Keith, Billy and Jennifer because THEY are the true talent in Hollywood today!
Rating:
Summary: One of cinema's best love stories!
Review: This movie gets an A+ in everything--casting, cinematography, plot, originality...I could go on! This is the kind of movie you'll think about for days! You'll curse yourself for not renting it sooner! Sarah and Fielding have become one of my favorite fictional couples in just one viewing of the film. Sarah's an idealistic political activist working with the church to help those less fortunate. Fielding is a politician who wants to help people LEGALLY. Both wanting to help make the world better or "as close to perfection as possible," the couple sometimes disagrees on how to go about this task. Yet, Fielding and Sarah overcome separation and political differences to form one of the most beautiful relationships in film history. Jennifer Connelly and Billy Crudup deserve Oscars for their stunning performances. Every word spoken is compelling and believable. Even if you're not into politics or sad tales, you can still enjoy the wonderful romance and intrigue of this movie. This is a contempory masterpiece!
Rating:
Summary: It doesn't get any better than this
Review: Okay, let's see, what we have here: A film by Keith Gordon, produced by Jodie Foster and it has Ed Harris, Molly Parker next to the marvellous performances of the two leads and a pretty good group of supporting actors? Story and cast are amazing. The execution is flawless. The acting awardworthy. So, why did nobody go and see the damn thing in the cinemas?? Folks- you are really in for a treat: an intelligent, touching and superbly acted film. The DVD is all that you can wish for : 45 minutes of outtakes (which allow you a better look at Mr.Harris and Mrs.Parkers small but perfectly cast parts), more of this wonderfully fitting score laid under the menus , informative commentaries by Keith Gordon on the feature and outtakes, and of course the trailer, biographies and a pretty forgettable featurette (the only weak part of this package). Congratiulations to everybody involved in the production and the DVD: You gave us a perfect evening on our sofa at home. Thanks! If you have a heart AND a brain go and get this film. What are you waiting for? It doesn't get any better than this.
Rating:
Summary: Like "Ghost" but good!
Review: This is a beautiful film. Cried my eyes out and not afraid to say so. The film helped redeem me from my current post-election cynicism and reassured me that the human race is still worth fighting for. The writer of this film really seems to understand the meaning of love in all its forms: agape, philia and eros. I will pay you to watch this film! Well, maybe I can't go that far, but you might do yourself a favor and buy this film for your collection. Besides, I'd like to see the folks responsible for it get very rich so that they can continue creating and producing inspired and inspiring art.
Rating:
Summary: The ultimate love
Review: I acknowledge the objectiveness that people can have to say that this story is not a love story. It addresses so many things that are not love, but they are all contingent on it. "Waking the Dead" is one of the greatest love stories I have ever seen, and I have seen many. I have never seen two actors, Crudup and Connelly, so entirely enveloped in each other. They played off of each pther amazingly. With respect to the story, I feel that it speaks of the kind of love that many of us can only dream. That one love that loves us despite our conflicting ideals, ideas, and desires. The final scene of the movie is probably what haunted me the most. Crudup pleading for reasons. Reasons for why his love had to leave him, and leave him the way she did. It also inspired me. It showed me that with the kind of love that they shared, life can go on.
Rating:
Summary: This is no ordinary love story
Review: A great film adapted from an even better book. This is one of the most emotionally demanding, thought provoking love stories that I have ever seen. The actors, Billy Crudup and Jennifer Connelly did an incredible job conveying the many depths of love. Billy Crudup,especially, gave a performance that deserves a second look. This is no ordinary pretty boy, on second look, you see that there is so much more, so many levels to him. This film made me want to be a better person. This is the kind of love story that will always transcend the wash of time. And always always will. The test of a good film is whether or not it stays with you after you have seen it. This film has yet to leave my mind. See it to believe it and if you haven't already you MUST read the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Let the dead sleep
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed "A Midnight Clear" by Keith Gordon, and was amazed that the same Mr. Gordon made this incredibly pretentious hogwash. Billy Crudup and Jennifer Connolly are certainly credible actors, but how they managed to get through this script without gagging says volumes about their intestinal fortitude. The story is your typical 60s "Power to the People" nonsense, combined with a little Brian de Palma "Obsession" (a movie 1000 times better) thrown in for good measure, with Ms. Connolly espousing left-wing clap-trap at every turn. The best scene in the movie is when the eunuch Crudup finally lets pie-in-the-sky Connolly have it with a diatribe against the Catholic church. It is the only time in the movie when Mr. Crudup's character shows any evidence of a spine. And, the worst thing about this movie is Ms. Connolly's character, an arrogant, sanctimonious, pious, whiny, selfish, obnoxious, self-important worm, and those are only her good qualities! She comes off like some modern-day Jean d'Arc, without any of the sincerity. Case in point: she tells Mr. Crudup's character she is madly in love with him, yet when she's supposed to meet with him for dinner and study, she blows him off because little Manual (some illegal Chilean kid) is finally talking. Well, words are nice--who doesn't want to hear that somebody loves them?---but actions are what truly matters in this life, and Ms. Connolly's character's actions undoubtedly reveal a very unappealing person. How Mr. Crudup's character could ever fall so deeply in love with such a total jerk belied any credibility the movie may have otherwise had. A must to avoid.
Rating: 
Summary: Connelly and Crudup Deliver
Review: The circumstances surrounding the death of a young woman-- a peace activist working with a church organization in Minneapolis-- and it's effect on her lover, an aspiring politician, initiates a character study underscored with mystery in "Waking the Dead," directed by Keith Gordon. The movie begins by picking up the story in 1974, with a news report of the death of one Sarah Williams (Jennifer Connelly), then flashes back to 1972, when Sarah and Fielding Pierce (Billy Crudup) first met. Then the story flashes forward to 1982, where we learn what's become of Fielding since Sarah's death. The entire story unfolds in this manner-- flashing back and forth between '72 and '82, and finally between '73 and '83-- and it proves to be a very effective method of storytelling; it allows the viewer to get to know and understand Fielding intimately, as his character is developed succinctly through pivotal episodes in his life. And it works just as well with Sarah's character, though her death ultimately becomes shrouded in mystery. A good director will let his audience know in the first few minutes of a film exactly what can be expected from what follows, and from the opening frame Gordon establishes the method through which his story will be told, and it works beautifully. Ultimately, he creates an atmosphere in which the story thrives and maintains a pace that keeps it alive, while exacting performances from his actors that conclusively make it a memorable film. The story is character driven: Two people share the same principles and ideals and love each other deeply, but disagree on the methods by which to effect their goals. And Crudup and Connelly are more than up to the task of carrying the film; their respective performances are outstanding. Connelly especially captures the depth of Sarah's commitment and drive, while presenting a physical and emotional presence that personifies '70s sensibilities, up to and including the sacrifices she is willing to bear in order to "Make a difference" in the world. Crudup, meanwhile, successfully captures the essence of a young man in conflict, torn between whether to forego all in the name of principle, or to attempt to resolve the same issues through established and recognized channels of mainstream society, buying into the "Establishment," as it were. Crudup achieves an emotional level that aptly conveys the inner turmoil with which he must live without respite; a personal struggle that threatens to destroy him. It's a powerful performance that, along with his turn in "Almost Famous," should establish him as one of the best young actors in the business today. The supporting cast includes Molly Parker (Juliet), Janet McTeer (Caroline), Paul Hipp (Danny), Sandra Oh (Kim), Hal Holbrook (Isaac) and Ed Harris in a cameo as Jerry Carmichael. In the final analysis, "Waking the Dead" is a pensive, thought provoking film that will grab you intellectually as well as emotionally; Gordon maintains a tension throughout the film, and a sense of mystery, that compels the emotional involvement of the audience. And with the riveting presence and performances of the darkly winsome Connelly and the charismatic Crudup, it makes for a satisfying film-going experience that demonstrates what the magic of the movies is all about.
Rating:
Summary: The BEST film in the world !
Review: Certainly, this is the best film I have ever seen !!! It is so beautiful, so powerful, that I can't even describe ! The actors (Billy Crudup and Jennifer Connely are fabulous)deserve the "Oscar" !!!!! As the story ends, you stay with a fabulous sensation, that will change your point of view about life and love...
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