User reviews

Waking Madison (2010)

The movie world is filled with talents coming from nowhere and making a splash. Director Katherine Brooks is not one of them. Her resume of MTV compilations and other professional jobs doesn't even quite prepare you for the badly worked clichés, uninspired acting, and amateurish writing here.

The reason it comes to mind here (and not all the other mediocre movies out there) is that Brooks is both director and writer here, as if she was really sure of herself.

The idea isn't bad in itself. A young woman (played by Sarah Roemer) faces her multiple personality disorders in a period of high drama crisis. And the movie manifests this for the viewer in an unexpected way. When this "trick" first becomes clear (and I'll give no hints here) it's fascinating, the one minute of actual fascination you can expect. When the trick gets played a second time it's pure sensationalism, or just lack of inspiration.

Another problem is Elizabeth Shue's performance as the leading psychologist, which at first I blamed on her. She's bland and unconvincing, even after the final twist when you might reevaluate what her purpose was all along. Now I lay some blame at the director's feet.

There are some nice grungy set designs, the music plays well into the mood, the photography is decent, the layering of video within the larger photography is interesting, and so on. I mean, it has the bones of a decent movie. It reminds you that writing comes first (the idea, and the dialog) and then acting and directing (hand in hand) are critical.

Who is this Sarah Roemer? A really promising actress with a terrible agent. The movies she has been in are rotten rotten rotten. So it's hard to see the energy she keeps just under the surface throughout. Likewise for two other secondary young women who play with intensity worthy of a spooky movie about mental disturbances: Imogen Poots (who was in the interesting "Solitary Man" with Michael Douglas) and Taryn Manning (who seems to have Roemer's same agent, or the same kind of agent).

So? What to do? Skip this one. There are many better low budget or low quality psycho flicks with better edges and surprises.

When I first watched the trailer for this movie, I thought I had a somewhat good idea of what the movie is about. But, after watching the whole thing, my expectations and the intensity at which it hit me when up the roof. If you're expectations are high for this movie, take my word for it, it won't go down a bit but it will just go off the charts. Dramatic story, great intensity, didn't expect the ending to be this way, left feeling with too many emotions that make you think about the ending and ask what does that mean. I was frustrated when I couldn't understand what it meant because there was this urge that made me figure it out, no matter what. The storyline,acting, music, cinematography, effects, sets, everything has been used to the fullest. This movie will truly be the greatest of all time, and once again, Katherine Brooks has proved that she is one of the brilliant directors we have in our lifetime.

When I first heard about Waking Madison, I was skeptical. I knew it was related to mental illness and what is or isn't considered reality. I expected a really "out there" film, one that I would struggle to understand. What ended up being my reality was quite a surprise. As someone that works in the mental health field with people dealing with trauma, I was captivated by the characters and the story line. What I thought was taking place, ended up being a twist which to me makes a film great. This is the writer and producer's story. It is a story of torment as the young woman searches for help. It is a story of resilience and hope. I believe there are parts that live inside of each of us that can be destructive, but there are parts that can strengthen us as well. I would recommend that anyone that sees Waking Madison watch the entire film to see the outcome that is unexpected. The actors were phenomenal as well as the location and art. As I believe, also, there is beauty in the darkness. Out of the darkness in this story, comes the light of life.

Waking Madison, another breath-taking movie from the mind of the amazing Katherine Brooks. I was absolutely blown away by the emotional sincerity and harrowing reality of this movie. Not to mention the end... that was just something else! The acting was superb and the script was well-written. All the characters were very three-dimensional and believable. Even the depiction of Madison's mental illness was very apt and not too cliché. I can't seem to find fault with this movie... even after the numerous times I've seen it. It is most definitely in my list of top ten movies of all time (along with Loving Annabelle, of course)! Off to watch it again! :D

Waking Madison is a brilliant film, from the acting, to the story, to the cinematography. New Orleans provides the perfect backdrop to tell the story of Madison, a girl who, after a suicide attempt, locks herself in her apartment for 30 days to try and deal with her inner demons.

This story feels so real and true that you cannot help but to be drawn in and feel connected. Through the movie, you feel hurt and lost and confused right along with Madison. There are many psychological twists and turns and soon you become lost in her world, just like she is.

This movie is amazingly directed and filmed. There are so many hints and clues and tiny pieces that all come together in the end, you will be left amazed. Definitely one you will want to watch over and over, and you will pick up new things every time you do. This is the kind if movie that makes you think...

Director Katherine Brooks really outdid herself with Waking Madison. It is a must see movie, if I've ever seen one. <3

You wonder how Elizabeth Shue got sucked into this dreary attempt to retell a story so often told before. There is no attempt to build dramatic, or narrative, momentum and the whole thing looks like it was shot on Super 8MM. The ambition does not match the execution and - after a while - almost anyone watching might remember that they need to scour the kitchen sink and stop wasting time waiting for something to happen in this story.

Considering "Loving Annabelle" has been one of my favorite films for years, I went in to watching this with HIGH expectations. Amazingly, I wasn't disappointed; in fact, it surpassed my expectations.

I think my favorite thing about the film is that you can tell this every word was written from the heart; you can't help but be drawn in to the story as every word rings true. It's intense, heartbreaking, but beautiful. It shows the very real struggle of anyone who has gone through a mentally hard experience; wanting to give in and escape reality, whilst simultaneously having a fighting spirit which is not willing to let go just yet. And although the story itself is a very dark tale to be told, the message I came away with was a positive one; to not give up on yourself.

As someone who has been through a similar experience, I was amazed at how realistic it was. I think many people will be able to relate to the struggle Madison goes through on some level, and for those who can't- I think it will shed light on a topic which many believe is not a "real" illness. It definitely shows how a mental illness can be just as debilitating as a physical one, if not more so. And I admire Katherine for yet again taking a chance on covering a topic which is (unfortunately) still seen as controversial.

The storyline is full of twists and turns and keeps you immersed until the very last second. The whole cast is incredible, it's well-written, well acted, the cinematography is fantastic.... what's not to love?!

Everything about this film is simply exquisite. Katherine has done a brilliant job of addressing the delicate and not so talked about topic of mental illness in a way that takes you on a beautiful journey of self discovery. There are a lot of films about mental illness, many try to address the topic...and those just brush the surface. None even compare to this movie. There were so many things that I loved about this film, the storyline, the shots are stunning, the acting is truthful, raw and very real. I haven't seen a film this good in a very long time, it was refreshing to see and visually compelling as well. A definite must see!

Here is a small taste of what you can find posted on the director/writer's FB page (Kathern Brooks): "Hello Everyone. We Need your help. Could You Guys Make Your Vote at IMDb A 6 and also make sure to vote one-point above for another 10 movies (if the movie is 6.0, rate it 5 or 7)? This Way, Your Votes Will matter A LOT for the movie and hopefully IMDb will start giving us a rating better than 4.8. THANK YOU!! xoxox ... if you write a review on Amazon, Netflix or IMDb you will get a signed poster from Katherine Brooks!" And here is a message to people who haven't even watched it: "If You Haven't seen the movie but are waiting to see it, please give us a positive rating on IMDb, Amazon or Netflix, and when you do, say "done" here. Thank You! xoxox" This definitely explains all the phony reviews here and on other sites. I found this film extremely dull and I do not recommend it. This is just a truly bad story with trite characters (good looking, but TRITE). I hope this gets published so the public can get an honest idea of these reviews and get a clue that not everyone liked it. Also, if you saw Loving Annabelle or came across a review for this on some lesbian sites and are expecting a lesbian-themed movie here, don't. This is not a romance and this is not erotica. This is not a story about lesbians. My one star is dedicated to the presence of Elizabeth Shue who was not only gorgeous to look at, but the best actor in this film. I would also like to dedicate one invisible star to Erin Kelly who appeared a bit, but was not captured as the intriguing character we saw in Loving Annabelle. Now that's just bad, bad directing this time around... because she is capable of being one fascinating and stunning creature. Bless you Elizabeth Shue for making an appearance... you should have been the teacher in Loving Annabelle...

Katherine does another great job with this film. She makes it seem so real and pulls you into Madison's mind and life. You find yourself agreeing with her and rooting for her to find her way. It has away of making you look at your life and finding ways of having a little bit of Madison in all of us. You watch her struggle to find out whats really wrong with herself. I love the mirror wall in her room, I've told a few friends I want that in my house they laugh and then walk in the room trying to figure out a way to make it happen. I watched this film with my whole family and they are still in awe of what they just watched. We've never watched a film were you feel you are right there. I can not wait for her next film to come out! Face2Face looks to be amazing. It looks so raw and emotional. Katherine please keep making movies and inspiring everyone you come in contact with!! You are not alone!

It's a must see movie, i found it to be intense and all the actors where amazing, i bought the movie and have watched it like a thousand times. Katherine Brooks is an amazing writer and director. When i first saw the movie i had to really had to pay attention to understand what this your girl was going though and i do have to say people that have these multipul disorders it has to be hard for them not to live like that. i thought that Sarah Roemer, Elisabth Shue and Erin Kelly were amazing how they kept the roles connected to one another, i'm sure thats not an easy thing to do but having a director like Katherine Brooks to help them out made it a little easier with there roles.

"Waking Madison" is a cleverly executed film with an extremely talented cast.

The cast of "Waking Madison" deliver excellent performances, with great emotional depth and complexity.Elisabeth Shue, Sarah Roemer,Will Patton and Francis Conroy really bring some incredible acting chops to the table.

Writer/Director Katherine Brooks does an amazing job of capturing the essence and complexity of a mentally ill person. Brooks approaches the subject of mental illness with great intensity,but leaves the audience feeling hopeful.

The cinematography in the film is absolutely beautiful, and the use of symbolism is very well done.

Waking Madison is a brilliant portrayal of a young woman at war with herself, battling to discover the true answer to the question that torments her: "What is real?" This film has a raw and intense power running through it that is unlike any other. I could feel Madison's anguish as she delved into the parts of her mind that had been selectively closed off for so long. It was as though I had entered into her tormented world alongside her,and together we spent 30 days in limbo struggling to pick up tiny shards of truth to piece together in healing. It is evident that everything about this movie was carefully researched, for it offers an honest and accurate representation of the struggles represented within.

Normally I don't write a review for a movie. But,Waking Madison is a great movie written and directed by Katherine Brooks.I would highly recommend this movie to anyone. It is covering an issue that is so overlooked by many. Katherine found a way to portray a very important issue.How there are so many people that do suffer from Multiple Personality Disorder.This is the type of movie that you watch not expecting much,and are totally taken off guard how good it is. And Elisabeth Shue did an amazing job playing the psychiatrist to the girls in the psych ward. This is a very entertaining movie with a killer twist at the end that will make you want to re-watch the movie.

Waking Madison is one of the most dramatic, emotional and intriguing movie I've seen in the last few years. It is extremely touching movie with some autobiographical moments and truly encouraging one written with great love and maturity. Director Katherine Brooks really outdid herself with this movie. Once again she shows to us how truly commit she is to the movies she makes.This movie has an intense power running through it till the end. The best thing about Waking Madison is, that it's so real and natural based upon the trauma and experience of the author herself. It shows reality as it is. For some of us, seeing or better accepting the reality sometimes is so hard, that we want just to give up instead putting all the pieces together and going on our path life. You can learn a lot from this movie. It is worth every minute to watch it. Well done, Katherine !!!

I feel bad that the average rating for this movie is less than half because I believe there were less than 20 reviews, and a couple of people who praised it gave it no rating. I'll try to bring it up with this review.

Others have basically given the narrative so I'll skip that. I'll mention that Shue, Roemer, and the supporting cast gave good, if not very good performances. Some characterizations were stereotypical of mental illness, and I might question using the multiple personality theme to get across the idea of someone's struggle with comparative general mental illness that might be slightly hackneyed and misplaced. (but essential to the plot).

That being said, I think Brooks did a tour de force job with conveying the inner workings of mental illness. Everything in the movie felt and breathed it. She was spot on with the isolation, confusion, and frustration. She showed what mental illness can do to a person leaving out only some details and development that wouldn't have necessarily extended meaning to the narrative, and would have made it painfully long.

This movie is a must see for anyone interested in knowing what mental illness is like from within, and hopefully providing hope to those who suffer from this debilitating disease. I also hope that more people come to understand the reality of how misunderstood and stigmatized mental illness can be, and as a result that more people are helped.

I rate this movie a solid 7 for the story/acting, and a 9 for direction/production value, averaging 8 overall.

After Loving Annabelle I had high hopes for this film and I so wasn't disappointed, It drew me in right from the start. If you go into this movie expecting another Loving Annabelle be mistaken it's far from it, never the less it is another well scripted, well cast, well produced masterpiece. The casting was perfection, It gave you a believable insight into what Mental illness could feel like. A little confusing in places but mental illness is I suppose. A taboo subject brought to the attention of hopefully masses. Katherine Brooks is so talented and a name to look out for in the future. So get comfy grab the popcorn and settle in for an entertaining film it's well worth the watch.