Sleepwalking

R

Released Mar 14, 2008

1h 41m

Drama

List

17%

Tomatometer

60 Reviews

43%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

When her boyfriend is arrested for marijuana possession, Joleen Reedy (Charlize Theron) and her 11-year-old daughter, Tara (AnnaSophia Robb), take refuge with Joleen's aimless brother, James (Nick Stahl). Joleen soon runs off with a truck driver, and James is unable to meet his responsibilities. After Child Protective Services takes possession of Tara, James abducts her from a foster home, and the two travel from California to Utah, where his abusive father (Dennis Hopper) lives.

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Critics Consensus

Despite some sharp performances, Sleepwalking suffers from a grimness of tone and sluggish pacing.

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Mark Holcomb

Time Out

Rated: 2/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

Leo Goldsmith

indieWire

Each bend in the road positively screeches with the urgency of impending catharsis, but the film never earns its resolution.

Aug 8, 2009

Full Review

J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

The movie seems unusually honest in portraying the no-option existence of the working poor, but the story slips into melodrama in the last reel.

Dec 8, 2008

Full Review

Martin Tsai

New York Sun

It’s a good thing the film is set in Northern California rather than North Carolina, because the only remaining cliché would be for the characters to deliver their lines with a thick Southern drawl.

Apr 21, 2023

Full Review

Dave White

Movies.com

Rated: 1/5

Apr 4, 2011

Full Review

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

William Maher's melodrama is much too grim and bleak for even the most cynical viewer to enjoy...

Jan 12, 2011

Full Review

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victor o

I was bored and saw this in my recommendations section for a streaming service. I enjoy watching AnnaSophia Robb act and was curious. AnnaSophia Robb plays Tara the daughter of Jolene played by Charlize Theron as the two navigate the aftermath of the latter's boyfriend being arrested. With no place to live the two decide to live with their only other family member that will welcome them, James, Jolene's brother. James is welcoming even if he is burdened with trying to help them. But Jolene is not a strong woman and leaves for a brief stretch as James loses his job forcing him to take his niece out to the country to connect with his father, a stern man who does not take kindly to his children showing any warmth for his granddaughter either. Long repressed truths and revelations come to the fold as things end as well as can be expected. I got to say I do admire all the talented actors from AnnaSophia Robb, Charlize Theron, and Nick Stahl. But this was, while an honest drama it was sadly depressing. I will not be watching this again anytime soon.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

isla s

This is a sad film, a somewhat contemplative one. It has some good cinematography and the music is good - not too overbearing. Its a fairly domestic film - its pretty watchable but I wouldn't say it makes for an especially gripping watch as such. However, Woody Harrelson does give a pretty decent performance in this film. Overall, I wouldn't expressly recommend this film, no.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

cees t

Too much avoidable drama. Plus a dramatic color filter. 6/10

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Sleepwalking is certainly a mood. Everything about it is bleak and depressing - from the storyline that goes from down and out to desperate to the colour palate which consists of greys, browns and dirty whites. The ending was as cliched as they come and some of the "artistic" shots and sequences were trying to hard and felt awkward and pretentious. The energy of actors Charlize Theron and Woody Harrelson were vastly under-utilised. Its intentions were good, but it feel flat for me.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Actors were good but director William Maher certainly did them no favours with his depressive style- doesn't look like he has done much since either except a cartoon about more depression that can't get funding. Will he ever learn? LOL

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It's all too aptly named.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

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William Maher

Director

Nick Stahl

James

AnnaSophia Robb

Tara

Charlize Theron

Joleen

Dennis Hopper

Mr. Reedy

Woody Harrelson

Randall

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Synopsis

When her boyfriend is arrested for marijuana possession, Joleen Reedy (Charlize Theron) and her 11-year-old daughter, Tara (AnnaSophia Robb), take refuge with Joleen's aimless brother, James (Nick Stahl). Joleen soon runs off with a truck driver, and James is unable to meet his responsibilities. After Child Protective Services takes possession of Tara, James abducts her from a foster home, and the two travel from California to Utah, where his abusive father (Dennis Hopper) lives.

Director: William Maher
Producer: J.J. Harris, Charlize Theron, Beth Kono, A.J. Dix, Rob Merilees, William Shively
Screenwriter: Zac Stanford
Distributor: Overture Films
Production Co: FilmEngine, Denver and Delilah Productions
Rating: R (Language|A Scene of Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 14, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $169.0K
Runtime: 1h 41m

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