1998 movie, written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, known for such films as The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable.

It is the story of a ten year old boy who goes on a search for God after the death of his grandfather. He gets into all sorts of trouble at his all-boys catholic school.

I enjoyed this movie very much. It was funny and warm, and expressed quite beautifully the mind of a fifth-grader. I wouldn't say the cast is star-studded, but there are a few faces you'll recognize. Note: this movie is cheesey, of course, so leave your cynicism at the door please. You'll enjoy it so much more.

Cast:
• Joseph Cross, as Joshua A. Beal
• Timothy Reifsnyder, as Dave O'Hara
• Dana Delany, as Mrs. Beal
• Denis Leary, as Mr. Beal
• Robert Loggia, as Grandpa Beal
• Rosie O'Donnell, as Sister Terry
• Camryn Manheim, as Sister Sohpia
• Vicki Giunta, as Sister Beatrice
• Julia Stiles, as Neena Beal
• Heather Casler, as Hope

Reference: www.imdb.com

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"Wide Awake" is also the name of a song on The Philosopher Kings' Famous, Rich, and Beautiful album, released in 1997. Music and lyrics written by Jon Levine.

It's late, and I should be asleep.

But I am wide awake. 

I know you'll never read this, and we will never meet.  But if I had the chance, this is what I'd say to you:

 

I hated you, for quite a while.

I don't owe you anything; I have every reason to feel as everyone else does. But the matter's not that simple. 

You didn't get where you are now all by yourself. 

Chances are you'll die where you are now.

Don't misunderstand me, if you had acted alone, I would not waste one thought on you.  It is precisely the partner you chose which makes you oddly tragic to me; it makes you despised to the rest of the world.

As you are safely tucked away, they lose no sleep at night.  They believe they sleep more soundly, knowing where you are.  

I am wide awake, trying to answer for myself what it is about your fate that is such a comfort to everyone but me.  I could have been one of your victims.

Perhaps I am, and I don't know it.

But I really don't believe that's so: I am kept awake in part wondering if those whose sleep is undisturbed by where and how you'll die are more the victims.

I wonder if their need to see and keep you in your prison doesn't imprison them as well.  

Maybe I assume justice has a power that in truth it can't possess; maybe my expectations are too high.  

Maybe others' expectations are too low; maybe those are all that you possess. 

They say you've rightly been disposed of.   

And I should sleep more soundly, knowing where you are.

But there are others who will say

no one is disposable--

so I'm still wide awake.