Rating: 
Summary: 5* above the original norvegian movie
Review: I had seen the Norvegian "Insomnia". So, basically the thriller, or suspense wasn't new for me. That is what I believed before discovering the American version of the same movie. In the Norvegian one, a cop is after a killer in Nothern Norway, a place where you have light night and day during six months [and the actor seems in great shape until the end]. He has killed "by accident" his partner. Usually, a happy ending is almost a tradition in 99,99% of US movies. Not here. The happy ending will be reserved for the Norvegian movie.Accident or premeditaded murder of a partner: the cop gets away with it.
The entire difference in the American version is divided in two points: 1) a psychological thriller and not only a manhunt. 2) cast. The cop here [Pacino], who already has a suspicious past is haunted by the murder of his partner. He didn't like him. Was it intentional? With no sleep [and Pacino sequence after sequence becomes almost a ghost], with the killer's phone calls [Robin Williams, excellent], who tells him that the two of then have been involved either in a murder, either in an accident, thus playing cats and mouses], Pacino step by step loses the memory of that day.. I am not telling more, I URGE people to go and see it.
Pacino is not only brilliant, but his performance might well be one of his best ones. Another Oscar, Al?
And don't forget Helen Swank ["boys don't cry"] who is really showing that we have to count with her. [...]
Rating: 
Summary: great psychological thriller
Review: Like the 1997 Norwegian film on which it is based, "Insomnia" is a superbly crafted crime thriller, one that is more concerned with the psychological complexities of its main character than with the minutiae of the criminal investigation itself - though the details of the case are fascinating in their own right as well.Al Pacino delivers his finest performance in years in the role of Detective Will Dormer, a seasoned homicide investigator brought in from Los Angeles to help solve the murder of a seventeen-year-old high school student in rural Alaska. The problem is that, back in L.A., Dormer is facing some heat of his own from LAPD's Internal Affairs Division, which is beginning a probe into the propriety of some of the veteran's actions on the job. Back in Alaska, while on a stakeout to nab the possible killer, Dormer becomes disoriented in the fog and ends up accidentally shooting and killing his longtime partner, a colleague who, Dormer had just learned, was planning to cooperate with the IA investigation back home, thereby bringing about the possible ruination of Dormer's career and reputation. Caught off guard by this sudden turn of events, Dormer suddenly finds himself in the unfamiliar role of perpetrator, looking for ways to cover up a "crime" rather than unravel it. One of the compelling themes of the film is its insistence that only a very thin line separates those who commit crimes from those whose job it is to uncover and prosecute the wrongdoers. Dormer is stunned to find how quickly and easily he can cross over that line. The outstanding screenplay by Nikolaj Frobenius and Erik Skjoldbjaerg really knows how to get into the minds and emotions of its characters, particularly in the case of Dormer, who turns out to be one of the most psychologically complex and fascinating figures we have encountered in the movies in a long, long time. Here is a man who has built his name and career on knowing how to unravel complex crimes, always priding himself on being one step ahead of the criminals who are so convinced they have left no traces behind which could point to their guilt. Yet, now Dormer finds himself in the same boat, as he anxiously looks for ways to hide the fact that he shot - even accidentally - a man who had the power to bring him down. As the story develops, Dormer, whom we assume at the start is innocent of the charges for which he is being investigated by Internal Affairs, begins to seem less and less innocent and more and more capable of doing just exactly what it is he is being accused of. Yet, the triumph of the film is that Pacino and the screenwriters never let us feel we know all there is to know about Dormer. He is truly a man of mystery, so tightly coiled that even he doesn't know or understand all that is going on in the deepest, darkest recesses of his psyche. By setting the film in the summer near the Arctic Circle, the filmmakers are able to provide a natural phenomenon to help aggravate Dormer's potentially psychotic condition. Like Mersault in Camus' "The Stranger," Dormer becomes strangely disoriented by the oppressive effect of the sun, though, in this case, it is the lack of a night that drives Dormer crazy through insomnia. As the virtually indistinguishable days and nights pass without sleep, Dormer begins to suffer from delirium and hallucinations, making it all the harder for him to separate truth from fiction, fantasy from reality and - most importantly - right from wrong and morality from immortality. When the killer reveals to Dormer that he saw him shoot his partner, Dormer finds himself faced with the ethical crisis of turning the culprit in or of bonding with him as "partners" in mutual criminality and guilt. Here again the once-clear and distinct line between investigator and criminal suddenly ceases to exist. Pacino, stoop-shouldered and craggy-faced - the prominent bags under his eyes a physical testimony to his weariness and sleeplessness - plumbs the very depths of this infinitely rich and complex character. In fact, there is nothing less than an outstanding performance in the entire film. Robin Williams brings an air of restraint and understatement to the part of Walter Finch, the killer who plays a cat-and-mouse mind game with the sleepless, intellectually vulnerable Dormer, exploiting Dormer's weakened state to his own advantage. Hilary Swank brings a warmth and compassion to her role as Ellie Burr, an eager-to-please detective who has long idolized Dormer and his work, who also has to make an emotionally wrenching choice near the end of the film. Finally, Maura Tierney makes her few scenes count as a sympathetic innkeeper whom Dormer turns to as the person who happens to be handy at the moment when the need to unburden his soul spontaneously arises within him. As the film's director, Christopher Nolan establishes and maintains a mood of quiet intensity throughout the course of the film. Helped by the stark, but somewhat oppressively gloomy beauty of the Alaskan outpost setting, Nolan makes us experience the same sense of unease and disorientation Dormer himself feels. Nolan has chosen to punctuate his film with a series of highly charged, intensely dramatic confrontation scenes between Dorman and any number of the other characters in the film. The film never wanes in interest for even a moment of its running time. It is an enormous pleasure to see a film as intelligently conceived and executed as "Insomnia." Kudos to everyone involved with making this such a rare and fascinating movie going experience. But the greatest thanks goes to Al Pacino himself. He has never been so good.
Rating: 
Summary: Somnia
Review: I guess that just as everybody else who loved Memento and got shocked by the beauty of this master piece of independent cinematography, I went with very high expectations about Insomnia. Unfortunately, Chris Nolan this time lost his touch. Insomnia defaulted versus the high expectations that Memento created in terms of the creativity of its narrative, its characters and the direction of the movie itself. In a very slow moving film, the story is adorned by a million of common places: good cops and bad cops, tension over the answering machine, the rookie admiring the expert, the dead cop's family anger, and literally, a million more. This could have already encouraged a number of viewers to leave the theater, but it doesn't end here. Misteries resolved by magic, the paranoia of Al Pacino trying to close the shades at night to sleep instead of buying one of those cute eye covers effectively designed and marketed by Samsonite, the killer confessing after being asked the same question three times (we have to give that to Austin Powers who was the first one in realizing it never fails) create a story does not close. The plot is weak. Period. OK, I guess I already convinced you to skip this one. Stop, I already wasted my ten dollars, so you will have to hear me to the end. You may think, in a movie with Al Pacino and Robbin Williams at least the acting has to be good. Wrong. The acting is poor. Very poor. Al Pacino overacts his character to the limit where you never believe it is not an actor what you have in front of you. Williams, who should have taken some acting lessons with Anthony Hopkins before starting the film, creates a character who nobody in the world may believe is a bright killer. The police is one hundred times closer to stand in their desks saying "Oh captain, my captain" than treating him as Annibal, the cannibal. So, why two stars instead of one? The direction of photography is pretty cool and the beauty of Alaska takes your breath more than once. But to finish, I want to go back to you, Mr. Nolan. Let's make a deal. We will forgive you for this mediocre piece of the most plain Hollywood product if you promise to honor in your next movie the talent that you display in the magic Memento. I know you feel the same. From my side, I promise to go to see your next movie and to rent Somnia every time I have sleeping problems.
Rating:
Summary: Christopher Nolan directs an excellent flick!
Review: Insomnia is one of the best movies to date. It is not your typical murder movie. The scenery is beautiful and from the beginning the movie grabs your attention with its mystery. Al Pacino does a great acting role as he usually does, but this one is tops. He plays a cop from L.A. sent up to Alaska to track down a killer (Robin Williams.) Things start going astray for Pacino as he gets closer to catching Williams. Nolan directs a superb masterpiece that sets him apart from other directors.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Movie of 2002! A Brilliant Film that Delivers!
Review: Wow. Nolan has done it again. He has taken part in yet another dark thriller masterpiece that will keep you wide awake. I know that I already have written a review for it, but for some reason it was never posted. So I decided to write another one. If that other one ever surfaces, fine. But I believe this one will be a little better, since I have now seen the movie three times. Just to give you a quick impression on how much I loved this movie, I almost never see a movie twice at a theatre. It never happens, no matter how much I liked the movie. The only time that I saw a movie more than once was "Black Hawk Down." I've seen this movie THREE times! That's unheard of for me. Here is a brief summary of the story: Al Pacino plays brilliant Detective Will Dormer. Him and his partner has been sent to Alaska to solve a brutal murder of a high school girl. The sun never goes down in this town, which means it's always light outside. When Dormer sees the body, he realizes they're not dealing with a normal or random psychopath. That's when Dormer says one of the best lines in the movie: "This guy, he crossed the line, and he didn't even blink. You don't come back from that." Another piece to this puzzle is that Dormer and his partner are currently being investigated by the higher up. His partner, Hap, informs him that they had finally got to him and that he wants to cut a deal. This angers Dormer because he knows his rep is on the line, and if his partner cuts a deal, every scumbag that he has locked up will walk. From then on, Dormer becomes furious with Hap and does not want to be around him. Later on, when the deceased's bag is found, Dormer decides to set a trap to catch the killer. But things go horribly wrong. Dormer ends up chasing the killer in the fog, not being able to see anything. Once he sees a figure with a gun, Dormer fires. Bad news, however. He shot Hap, not the killer. And Hap's dying words are "You tried to kill me." Now, Dormer knows he's in it deep. He might've not meant to kill Hap, but he has motive. For this, he decides to cover his tracks and pin the whole thing on the killer. Dormer is unable to sleep with what he has done. No rest for the wicked, as they say. He sees Hap's face almost every second. And the fact that the sun never goes down doesn't make the situation any much easier for him. Then about a day later, he gets a call. It's from the supposed killer, who is played by Williams. He tells Dormer that he saw him shoot his partner, and that they are now in the same boat. That is when all the fun and games begin. The cinematography is outstanding. It gives the film a very dark and gloomy feel to it, which suit the content of the movie. The acting is some of the best I have seen in recent years. Williams is creepy and talented at playing the killer. But I will tell you this, your eyes never leave Pacino for a second. This has to be one of his best roles in recent years. I really hope he wins something for this. Hillary Swank was also very good as well. You'll be happy to know, if you are a fan of Nolan's other films, that David Julyan composed the music in the movie. A very superb score. I own the soundtrack and I love it. Even better than the one in "Memento," I think. And Nolan proves to us once again that he has talent as a director. More so this time, because he breaks away from his gimmick of manipulating time, which was the main ingredient for his past two movies, "Following," and the ever popular "Memento." He does not have to mess around with time to prove to us that he is talented. I hope he sticks to these kind of films, though. I think they suit him the best. Some people will be pleased that this movie is much more easier to follow than "Memento," and no, you did not have to like that movie in order to enjoy this one. Is this one better than "Memento?" I can't say, because to me this is a completely different movie. It may be in the same genera, but this film has its own look and feel. So please, do not try to go into this movie thinking you're going to see another "Memento," because you will be disappointed. If you want a movie with a stupid storyline and unexplainable action sequences, then do not see this movie. If you want a movie with a superb storyline, powerhouse acting, outstanding camera effects, and a few thrills and suspenseful chases and confrontations, see "Insomnia." I have not seen the older film, and I really don't plan to. This was outstanding enough for me. This is, without a doubt, the best movie of 2002. Of course, that's my opinion. Take a chance and go see this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I was disappointed. The movie, hmm...well, to call this a suspence, would be to blow things out of proportion. The movie tells/shows you what is around the corner before you get there.
The acting was fine but without the whole package, I felt as though I had wasted my time and money.
Rating:
Summary: A stylish, harrowing suspense thriller
Review: In "Insomnia," directed by Christopher Nolan, Al Pacino plays Will Dormer, a Los Angeles police detective. While a controversy swirls around him and his partner, Dormer travels to a small town in Alaska to help with a murder investigation. This assignment leads him into a tension-filled cat-and-mouse game with creepy mystery writer Walter Finch (played by Robin Williams). As an added twist, the story takes place during the Alaskan summer, when there is endless daylight; amidst this inescapable light, Dormer suffers from the malady of the film's title. "Insomnia" is a gripping, stylishly made film. The gritty action sequences have a low-tech realism that is a welcome change from the typically overdone Hollywood action thing. The performances are outstanding. Williams gets a lot of mileage out of his effectively low-key interpretation of Finch. Veteran character actor Paul Dooley brings warmth and subtle authority to his role as a small town cop, and Hilary Swank is a superb foil for Pacino in her role as an eager young cop. Pacino is excellent as the film's flawed protagonist. His performance is truly harrowing. "Insomnia" succeeds as a suspense drama. The motif of endless daylight is well used throughout the film, and is weighted with potential symbolic meaning. More than just a good thriller, "Insomnia" also raises some relevant moral and ethical issues.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Character Study
Review: Insomnia brought out one of the finest of Al Pacino's acting performances in many many years and certainly will be worthy for an Oscar. Ironically, the character he played in many ways was a paradox of his portrayal of Frank Serpico from almost thirty years ago and also warranting an Oscar. Hillary Swank, in certain ways, reminded me of the young idealistic cop that was portrayed by Al Pacino in Serpico. The supporting cast, especially Nicky Katt, were excellent. Speaking of Nicky Katt, I hope this movie gives him a jump start as Saturday Night fever did for John Travolta back in the 70s and he will have a bright future in the movies instead of being stuck on a t.v. series. The cinematography was so captivating that I have a very strong desire to possibly go on a vacation to Alaska.
Rating:
Summary: Sleepless in Alaska
Review: Al Pacino stars as a bleary-eyed detective in this murder mystery set against a backdrop of spectacular Alaskan scenery and a not-so-scenic, dreary northern Alaskan town. The spectacular, eye-popping northern scenery isn't quite eye-propping enough to keep his eyes pryed all the way open during the day, though, and the only thing catching up with him faster than his lack of sleep is his possibly unsavory past. As a result, Pacino becomes increasingly erratic as the plot progresses and the accumulated sleep deprivation begins to take its toll. Robin Williams is also excellent in his role, who, although apparently an obscure, 3rd-rate, local mystery writer, is nevertheless a brilliant and manipulative psycho murderer who is at first more than a handful for the experienced and hardened, but insomnolent, Pacino. As Pacino becomes increasingly exhausted and erratic through lack of sleep, we wonder if Williams will carry the day after all. But Pacino, with the help of Hilary Swank, who does a fine job in her role as his assistant, gets his man in the end. All in all a fine mood piece with similarly fine acting, a better than average script, and excellent cinematography of the beautiful Alaskan landscape. Big Steve says go see if and don't Bogart the popcorn.
Rating:
Summary: What a waste.
Review: I was a huge fan of "Memento" I absolutely loved it. I didn't even know the writer of it had written "Insomnia" but now that I've found out...what a surprise, what a shock, and what a terrible let down! I figured a movie with so much promise, a lot of good reviews and some great actors would turn out to be worth the time and worth the money of spending 6 bucks on a ticket. I was very wrong and very misinformed. The movie was absolutely boring. There really is no other way to sum up this movie. A girl gets murdered and an ace detective (Pacino), with a shady past, is called up to Alaska on a personal favor to help solve the case. While doing so, he accidentally kills his partner who might've given him up to Internal Affairs. Pacino covers it up but the killer of the girl (Williams) sees him and attempts to blackmail him. And slowly (and this movie moved very slowly) a rookie detective (Swank) starts catching onto the detective's cover-up. A bunch of boring things happen in this 2 hour long movie. If it had not been for the semi-decent ending I would've given this movie only one star. But the message and the somewhat thrilling ending led me to give it another star. But all and all, I would not want to watch this movie again. I don't suggest anyone else go and watch it...but, if you want to see for yourself, go ahead. You have been warned.
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