Written and directed by Virginia Gilbert, a couple whose daughter aged 14 went missing and then reappears after a decade. Starring: Jared Harris, Juliet Stevenson and Erin Doherty.
Something that’s inherently noticeable from quite early on with Reawakening is how the directorial style and tone feel distinctly reminiscent of ITV dramas. Unfortunately, it’s something that plagues the film throughout, Virginia Gilbert creates something that’s solid but missing something to elevate it, to escape the sentimentality and delve more into the psychologic of these issues because it is actually very interesting territory.
There’s one pinnacle moment, late in Reawakening, a monologue from Erin Doherty which finally captures what this film should have been. It’s the strongest moment that the film has to offer and gives a brief but effective insight into the larger weight and complexity that the story called out for. Though while it can be rather sentimental in its tone, the atmosphere does have a compelling desperation.
Something that’s particularly strengthened by the performances, there’s a power trio in Jared Harris, Juliet Stevenson and Erin Doherty. These three certainly had the skills to take the emotions of this story to a deeper, more complicated place but they didn’t have the script to back that up. Each of them provides an individual kind of brokenness, Stevenson gives us the more typical example with a mother who’s constantly trying to fill the hole her daughter left when she ran away. Harris has a bit of a stoic edge, yet there’s a huge vulnerability that appears through the tiniest of cracks.
While Erin Doherty adds a mystery to the mix, an enigma while Harris and Stevenson’s desperate couple search for the truth. It’s another great performance, and while the plot itself may not feel that mysterious at times, she makes up for that. The aesthetic work is also well done, the colouring is strong and they help to boost the atmosphere. So that while the movement and pacing may be very familiar, there’s a solid foundation at work.
Reawakening had a good concept but doesn’t delve deeply enough into the psychology of its story, resulting in something simply too familiar. Some of the ingredients were there, the excellent casting and terrific performances, the cinematography and atmosphere, but it leans towards a sentimental tone. It had potential and you see the sparks of something unique but they’re fighting against its stereotypical elements and sadly, don’t come out a winner.
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