Waking the Dead (2000)

Film Overview
"Waking the Dead" is a 2000 romantic drama movie directed by Keith Gordon. The movie stars Billy Crudup as Fielding Pierce and Jennifer Connelly as Sarah Williams. The film, based on Scott Spencer's 1986 book of the exact same name, checks out themes of love, loss, aspiration, and political intrigue. The narrative follows Fielding, a man haunted by the memory of his deceased fan, Sarah, as he browses the complicated world of politics.

Plot Summary
The film's story alternates in between the 1970s and the early 1980s in flashback series. In the 1970s, Fielding, a Harvard Law Student, falls for Sarah, a Grammar school dropout and political activist, who is associated with dangerous rebellions in Chile. Their philosophical distinctions frequently result in enthusiastic, extreme debates, including depth to their relationship. Sarah's passionate dedication to social justice draws Fielding in, while she finds his idealistic ambition sexy.

In 1974, Sarah apparently dies in a cars and truck battle, leaving Fielding ravaged. Quick forward to 1982, and Fielding is seen running for Congress, seemingly having actually proceeded with his life. He's romantically included with Juliet (played by Molly Parker), his late brother's previous spouse.

Fielding's Hallucinations and Climax
As Fielding's political profession starts to acquire momentum, he starts having vivid hallucinations of Sarah. He ends up being conflicted about whether Sarah's return is a simple hallucination or if she in fact made it through the alleged automobile bombing. This additional complicates his relationship with Juliet and derails his commitments. His deceptions likewise lead to public crises, negatively impacting his political reputation.

The climax of the film sees Fielding on the eve of his election. He vanishes from his project, leaving his group and family confused and worried. He pursues Sarah's ghost to a psychological hospital where he thinks he sees her. It stays uncertain regarding whether his encounters with Sarah are psychological manifestations of his guilt and unsolved emotions or if she is undoubtedly alive.

Ending and Themes
The film leaves the audience with an unclear ending, with Fielding missing his election day and his status remains unidentified. Waking the Dead checks out a deep, romantic narrative interwoven with styles of political ambition and personal loss.

The movie suggests that Fielding's desire to ascend politically could be his attempt to honor Sarah's spirit and enthusiasm. Yet his hallucinations of Sarah expose a man still profoundly haunted by his past. The love that Fielding and Sarah shared transcends life and death, shaping Fielding's presence significantly.

Conclusion
"Waking the Dead" provides a mix of romantic drama imbued with political intrigue. It uses flashback series to effectively state a poignant romance that crosses the borders of truth. It looks deeply into how a man's past and lost love influence his present, shaping his career aspirations and personal relationships. The psychological depth and complex styles of the movie are remarkably brought to life by the performances of the cast, particularly Crudup and Connelly. The film's lovely ambiguity leaves the audience questioning the borders between truth, memory, and impression.

Top Cast