Wakefield

IFC Films | Release Date: May 19, 2017

6.4	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 37 Ratings

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TVJerryJun 11, 2017

Bryan Cranston plays a successful NYC lawyer who's headed home to his wife (Jennifer Garner) and daughters. Due to a quirk, he ventures up to the room above the garage that overlooks the house. There, he stays…watching his family andBryan Cranston plays a successful NYC lawyer who's headed home to his wife (Jennifer Garner) and daughters. Due to a quirk, he ventures up to the room above the garage that overlooks the house. There, he stays…watching his family and ruminating about his relationships. The majority of this movie revolves around the character's voiceover narration with a few short human interactions. Cranston can handle the burden, but the film can't always. At times it's compelling, but other moments just drag on. If you like cinema that ponders philosophical reflection (and/or Cranston), this might appeal. While it's never boring, it only becomes enthralling in the final few minutes.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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netflicJun 5, 2017

A somewhat strange drama about a successful Manhattan lawyer Howard Wakefiled who is unsatisfied with his work and family life.
Circumstances bring him to the attic of his garage where he spent a night, and then he decided to stay thereA somewhat strange drama about a successful Manhattan lawyer Howard Wakefiled who is unsatisfied with his work and family life.
Circumstances bring him to the attic of his garage where he spent a night, and then he decided to stay there indefinitely watching his family's life thru attic's window.

The movie is full with funny remarks that Howard says watching his life passing by without him. Acting is very good. But his behavior defies common sense, and I could not feel any compassion toward him.

Overall, not a bad movie but I would not call it a "must see" film.

My score: 6 out of 10.

A somewhat strange drama about a successful Manhattan lawyer Howard Wakefiled who is unsatisfied with his work and family life.
Circumstances bring him to the attic of his garage where he spent a night, and then he decided to stay there indefinitely watching his family's life thru attic's window.

The movie is full with funny remarks that Howard says watching his life passing by without him. Acting is very good. But his behavior defies common sense, and I could not feel any compassion toward him.

Overall, not a bad movie but I would not call it a "must see" film.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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GreatMartinJun 6, 2017

“Wakefield” is based on a short story by E. L. Doctorow in The New Yorker that would have been better as a one man play than it will appeal to a movie audience.

It is a story told in one voice, that of Howard Wakefield, of a successful“Wakefield” is based on a short story by E. L. Doctorow in The New Yorker that would have been better as a one man play than it will appeal to a movie audience.

It is a story told in one voice, that of Howard Wakefield, of a successful businessman, husband and father, who decides to ‘disappear’. He goes up in the attic in a converted carriage house that is part of his home that allows him to spy on his wife and kids, while they have no idea what happened to him.

We follow him as he survives going through garbage at night, all the time talking about what, where he has been, what brought him to this point to want to walk away from his beautiful wife and 2 daughters.

Bryan Cranston is excellent as Howard, and what made me think of his doing it on stage, while Jennifer Garner is his wife Diana and Jason O’Mara, his friend Dirk, who competed for and lost Diana to Howard.

Becoming unkempt with long hair and beard and a general look of a homeless man he is, to a certain point, after being ’gone’ for awhile, can walk around town without being noticed as just one of the many homeless men.

“Wakefield” is not a movie for everyone but it enthralled me to the point that I wanted to know what happened after ‘the end’ appeared on the screen plus I want to read the original short story.

The director and screenwriter Robin Swicord, along with Byron Cranston and a few raccoons, handle what is a one man story while the production values all are first rate.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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LeZeeFeb 4, 2018

A man who looked after his family! Literally!

It was like 'Rear Window' meets 'Castaway on the Moon'. A unique film, pretty much pointless, though the world is full of crazy people and everything can be possible. Originally it was based onA man who looked after his family! Literally!

It was like 'Rear Window' meets 'Castaway on the Moon'. A unique film, pretty much pointless, though the world is full of crazy people and everything can be possible. Originally it was based on the short short of the same name. Directed by a writer turned filmmaker. Most of the film was a background narration, despite the story was not a flashback. Because it has less direct dialogues between the characters.

Howard Wakefield is married with two kids. A hardworking man to provide everything to his family. But seems he's not happy anymore as they are ignoring him lately. A perfect opportunity gives him a chance to know what his family can do with his absence. It might bring an end to all his doubts. Without any pre-plan, the event unfolds, but how long and the consequences, all focused on the later parts.

Bryan Cranston was really good. He's lately making some good films. Though I felt he was a little old for this kind of role. The rest of the cast was okay, mainly Jennifer Garner. The story was simple, but engaging. Maybe a new way to the self-discovery. I was looking forward to how the end would happen. That's a little disappointment, yet a very safe play, regarding how the prior events took place.

Most of the people would expect a normal cinematic narration, like with all those things, twist and turns. But this was very much like a real life, except that how Howard survived a very long time in the attic and going unnoticed. The flashback really added some interesting flavour. When you are quite clearly rooting for Howard, that old story could change your stance, perhaps to neutral. They had created a great atmosphere, the event, but I felt it all became vain when the end was not clearly says what's the consequence. Whatever, I liked it and I surely suggest it.

8/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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bfoore90May 24, 2020

Ever wonder what life would be like if you disappeared? Thats essentially what this film's about. Brian Cranston is excellent here as Howard and Jennifer Garner is always a lovely presence on screen. My issue here is with some of theEver wonder what life would be like if you disappeared? Thats essentially what this film's about. Brian Cranston is excellent here as Howard and Jennifer Garner is always a lovely presence on screen. My issue here is with some of the screenplay and the story, for instance why someone would decide to not check the garage at any point where Mr. Wakefield was staying? It's a good film just suffers from a bit of "movie logic" when you think about it… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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everettApr 2, 2019

Why this film was made, I do not know. There's nothing to justify nearly two hours of one's life watching a self-indulgent man behave so cruelly to his family, with its faux "awakening"(those snowflakes! Those kids from next door!) - exceptWhy this film was made, I do not know. There's nothing to justify nearly two hours of one's life watching a self-indulgent man behave so cruelly to his family, with its faux "awakening"(those snowflakes! Those kids from next door!) - except to see how it ends. Don't bother. Doctorow essentially truncated it, but the screenwriter could have taken it further, and should have. What a cheat. Cranston is - as always - marvelous, but it's all highly implausible, and even he can't save this dated material.… Expand

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DawdlingPoetNov 23, 2021

I thought this was a really interesting film, in terms of the main plot. I admit I have, once in a while, wondered what response there'd be if I just didn't show up at work, didn't come home etc. Its selfish, I know but I could, to someI thought this was a really interesting film, in terms of the main plot. I admit I have, once in a while, wondered what response there'd be if I just didn't show up at work, didn't come home etc. Its selfish, I know but I could, to some extent, relate to the protagonist, as I'm someone who can be pretty scathing about things at times. I thought Bryan Cranston was a good choice of actor to play the main role, someone who does good, clear narration and he certainly looked the part, as the increasingly more dishevelled person in hiding. I couldn't help but think that paranoia was playing a part, due to some of the thoughts he has and also his habit of viewing people and things from a low, crouched position (to avoid being seen). I suppose that's to be expected, to an extent.

I thought it was somewhat poignant, with one key quote going as follows - 'I didn't lose my family, I lost myself'. I suppose you could argue its a little like Rear Window, only what he's witnessing is the actions of those he's (they likely believe) left behind. The way he talks, at times, about himself in third person, I found a bit creepy.

It may not suit everyone but I thought it was a quite intriguing and interesting, with good performances from Cranston and Jennifer Garner and so I'd recommend it on that basis.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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