Wakefield

Name: Wakefield
Genre: Drama
Released: May 19, 2017
Duration: 106 min
Rating: 62
Cast: Beverly D'Angelo, Bryan Cranston, Ellery Sprayberry, Ian Anthony Dale, Isaac Leyva

2017

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 24 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 36 Ratings

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6.4

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6.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 36 Ratings

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Wakefield

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Movie Details & Credits

IFC Films | Release Date: May 19, 2017 | Not Rated

Starring: Beverly D'Angelo, Bryan Cranston, Ellery Sprayberry, Ian Anthony Dale, Isaac Leyva, Jason O'Mara, Jennifer Garner, Monica Lawson, Pippa Bennett-Warner, Victoria Bruno

Summary: What would your life look like without you in it? Outwardly, Howard Wakefield (Bryan Cranston) is the picture of success. He has a loving wife (Jennifer Garner) and two daughters, a prestigious job as a Manhattan lawyer, and a comfortable home in the suburbs. Inwardly, though, he’s suffocating. One day, something snaps and Howard goes intoWhat would your life look like without you in it? Outwardly, Howard Wakefield (Bryan Cranston) is the picture of success. He has a loving wife (Jennifer Garner) and two daughters, a prestigious job as a Manhattan lawyer, and a comfortable home in the suburbs. Inwardly, though, he’s suffocating. One day, something snaps and Howard goes into hiding in his garage attic. Leaving his family to wonder what happened to him, he observes them from the attic window—an outsider spying in on his own life. As the days of self-imposed isolation stretch into months, Howard begins to wonder: is it even possible to go back to the way things were?… Expand

Director: Robin Swicord

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 106 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Rex Reed

May 23, 2017

Wakefield is a terrific movie, with a devastatingly bravura performance by Bryan Cranston that seizes and grips attention from first scene to last. Read full review

Ariel Scotti

May 18, 2017

One of the reasons why the film works so well is because it imagines a path anyone who’s thought about escaping their lives — and hasn’t — could take. Read full review

Peter Travers

May 18, 2017

The role is a beast, and Cranston, in a tour de force of touching gravity and aching humanism, gives it everything he's got. It's astounding to watch, and an award-caliber performance from an actor who keeps springing surprises. Read full review

Tim Grierson

Apr 24, 2017

Although Wakefield’s ending leaves open the possibility for multiple interpretations, the filmmaker removes the sting from her story’s tale, which keeps its insights from cutting as deep. Read full review

Kenji Fujishima

Jun 1, 2017

Wakefield is… well, let’s just say, its insights into human nature are limited, at best. Read full review

Michael O'Sullivan

May 25, 2017

Cranston is consistently watchable in the title role, although Howard’s journey into — and, at least potentially, out of — madness is a tough one to keep up with. Read full review

The Playlist Gregory Ellwood

Apr 21, 2017

It goes without saying that Cranston has a lot to carry on his shoulders and he does an admirable job. It’s hard not to laugh every so often at one of Wakefield’s snide remarks and that’s effectively because of how Cranston sells it. But even this accomplished actor can’t make you feel any sympathy for a character whose actions defy convention in the most unimaginative ways. Read full review

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User Reviews

LeZee

Feb 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 on the short short of the same name. Directed by aA 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

DawdlingPoet

Nov 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 some extent, relate to the protagonist, as I'm someone whoI 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

GreatMartin

Jun 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 businessman, husband and father, who decides to“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

bfoore90

May 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 the screenplay and the story, for instance why someone wouldEver 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

TVJerry

Jun 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 and ruminating about his relationships. The majority of thisBryan 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

netflic

Jun 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 there indefinitely watching his family's life thru attic'sA 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

everett

Apr 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!) - except to see how it ends. Don't bother. DoctorowWhy 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

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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