DVD Review: Waking The Dead (B)

Waking The Dead (2000)
Directed By Keith Gordon
Starring Billy Crudup, Jennifer Connelly and Hal Holbrook
MPAA: R
Grade: B

Movie Review By Scott Standish

Sensational acting can save even the cheesiest of love stories. Consider Waking The Dead, a somewhat dorky love story that rises above its source material to effectively entertain and at times, tug on the heart strings.

Fielding Pierce (played by Billy Crudup) is an up and coming young politician, and he believes in his destiny. He feels that he can changes things for the better from the inside, and running for congress is his entry in. Along the way, he meets and falls in love with Sarah Williams (Jennifer Connelly), a bright young lady with a passion for helping the underpriviledged and the politically repressed. The chemistry between Connelly and Crudup is magnetic. You really believe these characters passion for their work, their lives, and their love for each other.

Destiny steps in and plays a card that neither expect: Sarah is killed in an explosion while helping the Chilean underground. Ten years later, as Fielding runs for Congress, he starts to see and hear visions of Sarah. Not sure if they are real or illusion, Fielding is sent into despair and frustration.

The "Is my dead lover alive" storyline has been milked over and over again in Hollywood, but if you are willing to get past that, you can latch onto this one. Waking The Dead is well directed by TV veteran Keith Gordon, and remarkably acted by the young leads.If you are looking for a solid mystery/romance, then Waking The Dead is a good choice.

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