In Nobody's Business Alan Berliner jr interviewed his own father who was charming and had a full personality. He was also a cantankerous man who was almost immediately tired of his sons questions in the movie. In Wide Awake, it's easy to see why. Alan Berliner jr is no Alan Berliner sr. Time spent getting to know Sr was pleasant, damned funny and a little bittersweet, time spent with Jr is just unbelievably annoying.
This movies ostensible focus is Alan's sleeplessness in the face of his new son (but not really, because he's been a night owl his whole life). This would be fine if Alan had any real intention of solving the problem. Instead we get defensive pointless scenes that build to nothing. Alan thinks he's being charming when his family complains about his selfish obsessiveness, and he cuts to himself with a self-impressed smirk on his face.
What is most grating is Alan's disinterest in changing despite his needy, self-involved kvetching. So what was the real idea behind this movie? The professed idea is a lie. Alan is probably just so selfish he wanted to be the topic of a movie done in the style of Nobody's Business. It doesn't work.
This is a man who obsessed about having a son to the point he divorced his first wife to find one who would continue the lineage. Here Alan insists he loves his son more than anything. So put your actions where your mouth is Bozo, and get up when he cries, jackass! In nearly every sleeping sequence we have to endure the sight of Alan's unpleasant hairy body. Hey guy, sleep with a shirt on for the sake of humanity.
The world is a lesser place now that Alan Sr. is gone. Alan jr benefits from none of his fathers qualities, and so you can't hang an enjoyable movie on him. You can however hang an unfocused, repetitive, poorly recorded and conceived piece of self-regard.
My apologies to the rest of the Berliner family who seem like lovely people, but your son/brother is an ass.
This movies ostensible focus is Alan's sleeplessness in the face of his new son (but not really, because he's been a night owl his whole life). This would be fine if Alan had any real intention of solving the problem. Instead we get defensive pointless scenes that build to nothing. Alan thinks he's being charming when his family complains about his selfish obsessiveness, and he cuts to himself with a self-impressed smirk on his face.
What is most grating is Alan's disinterest in changing despite his needy, self-involved kvetching. So what was the real idea behind this movie? The professed idea is a lie. Alan is probably just so selfish he wanted to be the topic of a movie done in the style of Nobody's Business. It doesn't work.
This is a man who obsessed about having a son to the point he divorced his first wife to find one who would continue the lineage. Here Alan insists he loves his son more than anything. So put your actions where your mouth is Bozo, and get up when he cries, jackass! In nearly every sleeping sequence we have to endure the sight of Alan's unpleasant hairy body. Hey guy, sleep with a shirt on for the sake of humanity.
The world is a lesser place now that Alan Sr. is gone. Alan jr benefits from none of his fathers qualities, and so you can't hang an enjoyable movie on him. You can however hang an unfocused, repetitive, poorly recorded and conceived piece of self-regard.
My apologies to the rest of the Berliner family who seem like lovely people, but your son/brother is an ass.