The 48th Deauville Festival presented in competition the drama “Stay Awake” inspired by the life of its director Jamie Sisley. The opportunity to find Chrissy Metz and actors Wyatt Oleff and Steffan Argus.
Chrissy Metz, one of the faces of This is Us
Chrissy Metz became famous thanks to the series This is Us in which she performs Kate Pearson. There is always a question about the actors and actresses associated with a character. Are they able to make an impression with another role? The actress proves that it is possible with Stay Awake by Jamie Sisleypresented in competition at the 48th Deauville Festival.
However, the actress isn’t the only known face to step up to the plate thanks to this indie drama. We find in the casting the young Wyatt Oleff, seen in particular in Thatand Steffan Argus of Queer as Folk. A trio that turns out to be extremely touching in the face of a most terrible situation.
Stay Awakeor the ravages of an addiction
Stay Awake, based on the life of the director, follows a young high school student, Ethan, who prepares to leave for college after his graduation. His older brother, Derek, works in a bowling alley but would like to break into an advertising actor. Their dreams are relatively simple, but difficult to imagine a future with their drug-addicted mother that they regularly have to drive to the hospital to save her from herself.
Despite a heavy subject, Jamie Sisley finds good tone so as not to make his film a depressing work. His feature film sometimes almost approaches the feel good movie, thanks in large part to Derek’s character, always smiling in the face of each of his disappointments. By his side, Ethan is impressively mature. He has this ability to make the most difficult decisions. But will not be able to contain his emotion during a heartbreaking sequence in a hospital elevator.
Finally, it is important to note the performance of Chrissy Metz, who surprises as a mother unable to perform her role. And even if Jamie Sisley does not touch excellence because of a somewhat expected story, he remains fair in his approach and showed great subtlety in his last quarter of an hour.
Stay Awake does not yet have a release date for French theaters.
