Wide Awake (1998)

Wide Awake is a 1998 American comedy-drama film written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan and produced by Cathy Konrad and Cary Woods. The film stars Denis Leary, Dana Delany, Joseph Cross and Rosie O’Donnell. Wide Awake also features Julia Stiles in one of her earliest roles as the main character’s teenage sister, Neena. Although it was made in 1995, the film was not released until 1998. The script was written in 1991. It was nominated for “Best Family Feature – Drama” and “Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actor” at the 1999 Young Artist Awards. Shyamalan has described Wide Awake as a comedy that he hoped would also make people cry.

During his fifth grade year, ten-year-old Joshua A. Beal begins a personal search to find answers about life and death — a journey triggered by the passing of his beloved grandfather. Josh attends Waldron Mercy Academy, a private Catholic boys’ school. The adults in his world have not been able to convince him that his grandfather is in good hands, so he sets out on a personal mission to find God. In their varying ways he is guided on his metaphorical journey by his best friend Dave and a Philadelphia Phillies-loving nun a teacher.