Movie Review - A Wake (2021)

Scott Boswell's debut feature The Stranger In Us (2010) had familiar themes and characters to queer cinema. This is his second feature. It comes a decade later, and, if anything, it feels less like queer cinema and more mainstream. In my review for The Stranger In Us, I compared it to Pretty Woman (1990), which is arguably a mainstream film but about a less than family-friendly subject. This film is instead about a family with one of the protagonists seemingly being a prepubescent girl. Boswell here isn't mainly exploring same-sex relationships. He's exploring familial dynamics, particularly in a conservative and religious milieu.

This film reminded me though of Frank Oz's Death at at Funeral (2007), which is entirely set at a memorial in the deceased person's home. While there, it's revealed that the deceased person was gay and had a secret lover. Boswell's film isn't as humorous or comedic as Oz's flick. There are some slight, light touches, but Boswell's film is more a tragic affair. It doesn't have the over-the-top tension of something like Shiva Baby (2021) or even the over-the-top melodrama of something like August: Osage County (2013). Both films also taking place in the aftermath of someone's death with families gathering together.

Pop star, Noah Urrea plays what could be seen as the protagonist. Urrea plays Mason, the twin brother to a conservative and religious family living in the San Francisco Bay Area or somewhere in northern California. He's a high school student, probably a junior or senior. He's currently in therapy, dealing with the death of his twin about eight months ago. He's troubled because he seems obsessed with contacting his twin from beyond the grave through whatever means. However, this film doesn't veer into Ghost (1990) territory. It becomes less about any kind of supernatural connection but more of an emotional release.

But, strangely Urrea himself, despite also playing the dual role of Mason and his late twin brother, Mitchel, recedes into the background, as Boswell's film rises as more of an ensemble, involving Mason's two sisters and the teenage boy who would be his brother's secret lover. The film also gives space to Mason's mother, father and grandmother. Boswell really becomes an actor's director, as the film gently blooms as a vehicle for all his actors to shine. He spotlights each one, allowing them to inhabit their characters and breath life and emotion into them, as we watch how each family member copes with the grief and loss of this young loved one. In addition, there is the depiction of how each handles the revelation of the late Mitchel being gay. Yes, it's homophobia but done in a way that isn't often depicted in film, not as offensive in other words.

Sofia Rosinsky steals every scene she's in, if not the whole film, as Mason's youngest sister, Molly who's probably around 9 or 10. She's a precocious, if not meticulous little girl who was giving me vibes of Jonathan Lipnicki in Jerry Maguire (1996) and Abigail Breslin in Little Miss Sunshine (2006). She was a combination of and just as good as both. If there's any humor to be found here, it's through her. She certainly brightens any of the depressing tones here.

There are depressing tones, as one feels like they're watching Bridegroom (2013) one minute and Prayers for Bobby (2009) the next. A tough conflict that runs underneath is the question of whether or not Mitchel's death was accidental or a suicide. An inciting incident invokes fellow Breaking Glass Pictures' Hidden Kisses (Baisers caché), but where it leads here is to an incredible, 10-minute sequence that I'll dub the "remembrance circle." The entire cast is in a circle and Boswell's camera spins to each character as various emotional bombshells are dropped. It was a sequence that certainly showed Boswell a good and thoughtful writer.

Special shout-out goes to Kolton Stewart who plays Jameson, Mitchel's boyfriend, and Kevin Karrick who plays Richard, Mitchel's father. Both give heartbreaking performances in the third act that really pull at the audience in sublime ways.

Not Rated but contains a scene of sexuality and another of some violence.
Running Time: 1 hr. and 37 mins.

Available on VOD, including iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Vudu and cable on demand.