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"Whenever I Can't
Sleep I Count Dead
Bodies" |
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Directed by Christopher
Nolan - Written by
Hilary Seitz
Starring Robin Williams,
Al Pacino, Martin
Donovan, Hilary Swank
Distributed by Warner
Brothers - 2002 -
118mins - Rated R |
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Days never end. Nightmares are real. No one is innocent. |
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When
"Insomnia" came out, the talk was all Robin Williams. After all, how
could a renowned comic actor play a cold-blooded murderer? Yes,
Williams is excellent in this film. But this inspired casting
overshadowed Al Pacino, giving one of his best performances in years.
Pacino stars as a veteran cop who is well known for his ability to
solve complex murder cases. Therefore, it seems only right that he be
called in to solve the murder of a young woman in a town in northern
Alaska. When Pacino and his partner arrive, they almost immediately
find some evidence that leads them to an exciting chase through the
forest, but this ends abruptly when Pacino accidentally shoots and
kills his partner in the fog. Pacino does not want to risk his
reputation, so he says the murderer returned fire. It is all believed.
Unfortunately, the person they were chasing (Williams) saw him shoot
his partner. When Pacino finally meets the murderer face to face, he
realizes that he is in trouble: if Pacino turns him in, he will tell
the police that Pacino shot the partner. To make matters even worse,
it is a time of year when it is bright all day long, and Pacino cannot
sleep, and he gets wearier and wearier as time goes on.
Director Christopher Nolan has crafted a thriller of Hitchcockian
proportions. It's extremely exciting and well paced. The acting is
excellent: Williams chooses to underplay his part, making it all the
more frightening; Pacino, as said above is amazing, he gives it all
and we see a man weary not only from lack of sleep, but from life. In
an interesting turn though, Hillary Swank co-stars as a local cop who
worships Pacino's character. This could have been easily a throw-away
role to any lousy actress, but Swank really makes the character
believable.
In all, three Oscar winning actors, a great script, and a very
talented director make "Insomnia" one of the best thrillers i have
seen in years. |
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© Written by Jacob Hall -
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Me! |
TC Candler's Comment
'A good cop can't sleep because he's missing a
piece of the puzzle... a bad cop can't sleep
because of what he's done.' That statement is
made by a character half way through the film
and it sums up the story quite well.
This film is about conscience and whether or not
the end justifies the means. Not many crime
dramas have dealt with these issues quite as
well as Insomnia does.
This film, directed by Christopher Nolan of
Memento fame, reminded me of The Crimson Rivers
(2001)... if you liked one, check out the other.
Did you catch the play on words with the lead
character's name? Will Dormer (Pacino) is one of
the best examples of subliminal writing you'll
ever see... think French!
Here is the umpteenth American remake of a
European film where the acting is wonderful, the
plot is essentially the same, but they insist on
changing a perfectly good ending to suit an
'American' audience. That being said... this
remake is pretty damn good and it retains the
impact of the Norwegian original.
Richard Propes' Comment
n/a
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