Rating: 
Summary: Criterion picks another winner
Review: Beautiful, original, and 360 degrees from Hollywood. I bought this disc simply becasue it was a Criterion edition which I have come to view as some of the best product on the market. Aside from, that I had no background information on the film. What a shock then to see first time director Skjoldbjaerg's beautiful and original rendering of the classic murder thriller. No, this film is not very suspensful in that the killer is identified early on, but the psychological trauma and emotion portayed on Skarsgard's face is powerful. Add to that the stark, harsh background, captured in various shades of brightness, and the offbeat cuts and camera angles that would make Kurosawa proud, and this is a masterpiece that should rank right up with "Silence of the Lambs" and "Usual Suspects."
Rating:
Summary: Great INSOMNIA Movie
Review: Being a guy I like my action movies. Insomnia is a great thriller starring Stellan Skarsgard. It is a foreign language film with subtitles. But don't let that let you lose hope in this masterpiece that inspired the 2002 movie with Al Pacino, Robin Williams, and Hillary Swank. This movie has to do with a girl's murder and who did it. It also involves Skarsgard charcter's who has a secret to keep. It has a great actor by the name of Bjorn Moan "Eilert". His scenes are powerful and in one you get to see his behind. Overall a movie that will keep your interest and won't put you to sleep. See it for Bjorn Moan.
Rating:
Summary: Insomnia- a classic
Review: Do you like Hitchcock flicks? How about modern, stylish, well-exceuted, lean and mean, yet intelligent suspense thrillers.
Give a chance. It's going to be a classic.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Good but...
Review: First off it should be mentioned that this is a very original film that should be viewed by anyone trying to find something other than the average "Hollywood" film. I personally picked up the disc because it sounded and intersting and was being released by Criterion (the later being more than enough reason for me to buy any disc). I think this is a great movie but I wish there was an English soundtrack. I recognize that it is in it's original language but I find it easier to watch a film the first time in English and the second time in the original language with subtitles. Though this film probably won't confuse many people, an English soundtrack would have been much appreciated. Overall, a very good film that could have used English dubbing and possibly some more in the way of extras.
Rating:
Summary: This is a winner and a keeper
Review: I am so glad I purchased this film. After seeing the bungled American remake, I was ever so pleased to know the original story. This story took so many twists and turns, and the Swedish cop who bungles an accidental murder of his partner and friend, and the somewhat twisted relationship between that cop and the murderer only make it more interesting from the viewers standpoint. I had a friend who only watched the foreign version of films because usually American remakes were inferior. I would have to agree with him on this. This movie had everything and the breath-taking scenery of the land of the midnight sun just put it over the top for me. Buy it; it's worth it.
Rating:
Summary: This is a winner and a keeper
Review: I am so glad I purchased this film. After seeing the bungled American remake, I was ever so pleased to know the original story. This story took so many twists and turns. The Swedish cop who bungles an accidental murder of his partner and friend, and the somewhat twisted relationship between that cop and the murderer only make it more interesting from the viewers standpoint. I had a friend who only watched foreign versions of films because he felt American remakes were inferior. I would have to agree with him on this. This movie had everything and the breath-taking scenery of the land of the midnight sun just put it over the top for me. Buy it; it's worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly, Skarsgard beats Pacino
Review: I bought this DVD rather blindly and fell asleep the first time because the Norwegian language was lulling me, but the movie is excellent and worth repeated viewings. The story is really interesting, and the protagonist is truly an ethical void. The new version is disappointing, nowhere near as good as "Memento." Pacino's detective isn't sleazy, he's just burnt out. The ending of the new version is long, draggy and typical. The conclusion of this version is great; concise, climactic and satisfying. If the language barrier wasn't a real hurdle for me, I'd give it 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Brooding thriller starring Skarsgard is eerie and intriguing
Review: I had been looking forward to seeing this film for some time and when I did, I was completely enraptured into the performance of Stellan Skarsgard, who is utterly wonderful. The Norwegian language is truly beautiful and rounds out the edges of this brilliant film. Americans should continue looking to Norway for the truly risk taking and edgy films like Insomnia, Junk Mail-another dark film with comedic edges which is almost, but not quite as good as this one. A breathtaking film!
Rating:
Summary: Taut, psychological drama.
Review: I have become quite the Stellan Skarsgard (Breaking the Waves, Good Will Hunting, Ronin) fan here recently so choosing to see Insomnia was a no-brainer. The bonus is that, besides Skarsgard in a stellar performance, I got a tightly woven psychological drama, unlike anything made in the US these days.Set in a bleek Norwegian backdrop (a European 'Affliction' like setting), Skarsgard's police inspector Engstrom finds his own word unraveling after he shoots and kills his partner on a murder investigation. His decision to cover up his own involvement will lead him to a personal implosion of sorts. Stark, raw, Insomnia is challenging as a visceral experience. I enjoyed it and recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: great movie
Review: I like both films (Hollywood and original one). Both of them present the great performance and story telling. The actors of both are doing great. However, there seems to be concerned of politic correctness in Hollywood version and losing the tone of reality in discussion of the confusion vs. clarification in morality The original one shows the less moral detective being struggling between the consciousness and delusional sense. Despite the sex scandal around him before he lands his job in that small town and dog killing to manipulate the evidence, he grabbed one girl's leg while driving her to see the crime scene. Also, he sexually assaults the hotel clerk behind the desk. The scene that really touches me is that when the detective placed the weapon that kills his partner under the innocent young man's bed to put him into guilty plea. That scene would not happen in the Pacino�s role in the new version. In Hollywood's one, there is struggle between consciousness and denying. However, Pacino�s struggle is mostly being contributed to the dead of his partner from the friendly fire and nature environment. Pacino�s role of new version is still more "perfect" in morality with the tones of demanding audiences� sympathy rather than the discussion of integrity of the detective�s role. For me, Al Pacino�s role is also to play as the victim under the stress of insomnia and current incident surrounding him. On the other hands, Stellan Skarsgard�s one would demand less sympathy and could show you the sense that everyone could play as devil as guilt�
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