Rating: 
Summary: They'll sleep when they're dead
Review: There's a sequence about half way through "Insomnia", where rumpled L.A. cop Will Dormer chases a man he believes to be the murderer he's come to Alaska to find, across a log drive. It's a thrilling moment, especially when Dormer trips into the water and finds himself trapped beneath the logs. By about halfway through the scene, I realized a startling thing: I was watching 62-year old Al Pacino and 50-year old Robin Williams acting out a footrace. And it was enthralling. In hindsight, I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised, for "Insomnia" lives to confound its audience's expectations.That's a strange statement to make considering it's a remake. But when the original happens to be a 5-year old Norwegian film, one that I've beaten my brains out trying to find in local video stores for years, it makes much more sense. And when you realize that Christopher Nolan, the auteur-mastermind behind 2000's "Memento", you come to expect the unexpected. Nolan tackles a much more conventional thriller this time out. "Conventional" being a relative terms, for "Insomnia" is anything but. Sure, all the typical elements are there, but it's less focused on bringing those elements together, or on working through the machinations of the plot. Rather, it spends its time thoroughly dissecting the psychologies of its characters. In the end, "Insomnia" is really about one thing: the slow disintegration of one good cop. Will Dormer (= dormir = to sleep; yeah, yeah, we get it) is Serpico 20 years down the line: a legend in his own mind and the mind of others. But his reputation has been severely damaged even before he gets to Nightmute, the small Alaskan town known as the "Halibut fishing capital of the world". And the events of his first day in Alaska quicken the spin of his downward spiral. This all serves to set up the most destructive force in his life: his insomnia (a motif that would have been terribly important even if they hadn't named the film after it). Pacino and Nolan, in tandem, do a wonderful job of relaying the experience of insomnia to the audience. Nolan uses self-consciously tricky camera work, exhibiting hallucinations and lack of focus. Pacino uses an intense dreariness -- look at his eyes, even more hangdog than usual -- a slurring of speech, and a hunched over gait. The startling thing is that neither allows Dormer to make excuses for his debilitating condition. In fact, they allow Dormer to, in moments, flash some of his brilliance for the audience and, more importantly, his new Alaskan cop colleagues, to see. The tragedy is that he just can't maintain it. Pacino, who I find overbearing in his louder work, mines the same gold that yielded him Michael Corleone and the aging mobster in "Donnie Brasco". He's quiet, introspective, but not averse to lashing out when the time is right. It's an astounding performance that reminds you yet again why Pacino can be, when reined in, one of the most powerful and subtle actors ever captured on film. Robin Williams' hyper-kinetic screen persona has worn thin in recent years. But like Pacino, when he controls his energy he is astounding. His work here is a prime example of that. He plays Walter Finch, a wannabe-cop turned pulp crime novelist-cum-pocket philosopher, who is only a worthy adversary because Dormer is so out of it. In any other circumstance, he'd be Dormer's breakfast, digested before lunch. Williams is mostly controlled and cool throughout. But he also allows all of Finch's insecurities to shine through. He's not a perfect super-villain, just a man caught in an extreme situation, frantically using the tools he has to get out of it. It is easily Williams' best work, trumping even his Oscar-winning turn in "Good Will Hunting". Hillary Swank, the cast's third Oscar-winner, starts out slow as Ellie Burr, a local cop. Her work felt manner and awkward, until you realize later on that she was supposed to be mannered and awkward. She is putting on a good show for Dormer, a cop she idolizes. Later on, however, Ellie becomes integral to the suspense: the audience, who know what's going on, become tense waiting for to get up to speed, unsure if she ever will and even if they want her to. Besides his work with Pacino's psychology, Nolan ably uses all the elements on his director's palette to heighten and expand the suspense. Quick, subliminal cuts jarringly remind us of important points in the action. Extreme close-ups allude to secrets yet to be revealed. And haunting imagery (the plane ride that opens the film, over an endless sea of jagged ice, comes to mind) set a solid tone. His most accomplished sequence is shot through a dense fog. Dormer is sure that there's a killer out there somewhere, brandishing a weapon, but he can't see him. It's a terrific suspenseful moment. All this dispels the notion that Nolan was a one-hit wonder with "Memento". Clearly he's a talent we can expect a lot more from. Some have claimed that "Insomnia" ends in a typical suspense movie fashion. I couldn't disagree more. I enjoyed these frantic scenes thoroughly, for they not only tidied up the plot, but were tempered by some bleak dark humour, a rhetorical device that periodically pops up, when needed, throughout the film. So from top to bottom "Insomnia" is a solid piece of filmmaking, entertaining throughout, and psychologically thought provoking. What more can one ask for? --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title
Rating: 
Summary: Crime in the Land of the Midnight Sun
Review: Al Pacino is airlifted to a remote Alaskan village to help solve a homicide of a 17-year old girl. Al is frazzled and dog-tired before he even gets there. He soon finds out that this is the season of 24-hour sunshine. (Though it is to be noted, the only time the sun really shines is in Al's bedroom.) To add to his woes, there is an Internal Affairs investigation whirling about him in L.A., and his partner has just told Al that he is going to turn in evidence against him for his unorthodox methods. They are met at the plane by super-rookie Hilary Swank who is suitably awed at meeting the great detective. Some snappy early detective work has the police and detectives on the track of the killer in a remote wooded area. He disappears into a fog; visibility is near zero, and Al accidentally (?) shoots and kills his partner and then covers up his culpability. The film intensifies the horrendous pressure Pacino is suffering by showing his frenetic sleuthing coupled with his total inability to sleep. The final twist of the screw is the murderer contacting him with a blackmail attempt'he has witnessed the killing of Al's partner. Enter Robin Williams. Director Christopher Nolan does an excellent job of portraying Pacino's inevitable crackup with lightning fast quick cuts and a jittering scene of audio hallucinations. The stark and pearly ambiance of the Alaskan scenery is shown in magnificent cinematography. In spite of the wonders and impressiveness, I don't think I'd want to visit any time soon. I kept thinking: this is high summer, and all I am seeing is snow melt and people running around in their woolies. The movie has good pace, though if Robin Williams had entered the action earlier, it would have been an improvement. Pacino overwhelms. Nolan gives him close-up after close-up until I definitely wanted a little less face time. Williams gave some much-needed balance. The story ends a little too tidily and predictably. The quality of the acting is good. Overall B+
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing flick given A-List actors and director
Review: Maybe I expected too much, but Insomnia was a major disappointment. That's not to say it isn't an interesting movie -- but with Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Hilary Swank, and especially Christopher Nolan's (Memento) star-power, I thought this movie was going to be amazing. The plot is interesting, but trite -- small-town murder with big-city investigator(s). The locale is interesting, though not terribly new -- think Fargo meets L.A. Confidential. The acting was OK, but not terribly strong -- Pacino fakes a pathetic accent at times and Swank seems ridiculously naive. And the ending -- without giving anything away -- was totally forseeable and anticlimatic. I did find two things interesting, however. One - the constant presence of sunlight and how it plagues Pacino quite convincingly. Two - Robin Williams as anti-hero and non-comic. Both were surprising and enjoyable twists. Like I said -- the movie isn't terrible, I just expected more.
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie
Review: I do not undertsand why the other reviews on this website of this movie have been so awful. This move was excellent. The acting was great. Al Pacino was awesome. His character isn't that great of a person, but he makes you root for him and want justice. Robin Williams was also very good. He was much better as a bad guy in this than in Death To Smoochy. Although that performance might have been scarier for obvious reasons. Hilary Swank was also good. The movie also had some good supporting players, such as, Nicky Katt (Boston Public; he has a funny joke in this movie), Maura Tierney (ER), Jonathon Jackson(ex-Lucky, General Hospital; ok, maybe he's not that cool.) The movie did have some rough camera shots, but it worked for the movie. The editing and cinematography were very good, too. The ending was also perfect for Al Pacino's character. Although, I knew what was going to happen by the previews. I defintitely recommend this movie, especially if you are looking for an adult movie that will please your mind, or you can see J-Lo in enough. (hehe)
Rating: 
Summary: Great first half then sand in your face
Review: I had said that HOLLYWOOD ENDING is underrated, that ABOUT A BOY is overrated, and so is INSOMNIA. When it's good, it's very very good. When it turns bad, it's sand in your face mixed with thorns and poison ivy. The first half, about an hour, lives up to all expectations. Cinematography, acting, the tightness of dialogue, the sense of expectation and anticipation of--what?, the minimalism of the acting. This is true except for one scene between Pacino and his co-cop, which felt like "acting," which was all exposition (probably important), but which made my mind wander. Other than that, couldn't be better. I was also pretty sure the Maura Tierney character would turn out to be either the murderer or a crucial link. Then the screenwriter or director or both did something gutsy. After the midpoint, about halfway through, when, normally, no new characters "should" be introduced (screenwriting formula), a major new character was indeed introduced. Good for them. Rule-breaking is always terrific. If it works. From then, the film decayed into complicated twists and details, chases, melodrama. I suspected that Hollywood people had all sat around saying, Let's spice it up Let's try this and Let's try this and Let's try this. And the writer tried them all and included them all and the second half is garbage. Unbearably complicated, as against complex. The writer threw in so much "stuff" that the plot could have gone anywhere, thus leaving the thoughtful viewer out in the cold. Not fair. Too bad, because this was, for a while and at the end, a great Pacino performance. However, Hillary Swank had nothing to do, nor did Nicky Katt (BOILER ROOM, "Boston Public") and were wasted. They also acted as if they were not sure who their characters were. Neither was I. It was not their fault. A good actor can surmount anything but a forceful director who screws them up which this director did. Robin Williams, also a fine dramatic actor, seemed confused about his role and his closeups made me wonder less about the character, and more about why he goes on Jay Leno's show acting the clown and denying his serious side. Oh well... See if ya can get in for half price, then leave after an hour.
Rating:
Summary: You won't fall asleep--trust me
Review: Insomnia is one of those movies where it keeps you on edge throughout it all. There wasn't non-stop action or blood and guts flying everywhere, but it was just excellent acting and directing that made the atmosphere so up tight. That's what Insomnia was all about. It had great, experienced acting in it and superb directing. Al Pacino, in my opinion, gave an Oscar worthy performance. I haven't seen a better job done all year. Robin Williams played a perfect psycho. He's maybe not in the same class as Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal, but he proves yet again that he can hold his own in dramas. I was fixated to the screen just about the whole entire movie. The actors and the plot were both believable, which is a plus. And the ending, once again in my opinion, was not a cliche. I thought it was quite interesting how everything turned out. Insomnia is definitely a movie I strongly recommend. You will not be disappointed, unless you have no bearing at all on the difference between a good movie and a bad one. 5 Stars
Rating:
Summary: Might be the cure for Insomnia
Review: Al Pacino plays an L.A. detective sent to Alaska to help with the investigation of a murdered teenage girl. Hilary Swank is the rookie trying to learn from the veteran. And Mork, I mean Robin Williams, is the psychopath.
Pacino's character begins to lose sleep after...but the movie doesn't really go into the psychology of this disorder. Robin Williams' character is the most interesting...but I can't say why because it might ruin part of the movie. And Hilary Swank has a pointless role until the last thirty minutes. A remake. There was no need for three Academy Award winners in this not bad, but not good either movie. You know Hollywood is in some kind of trouble when it starts remaking foreign films. Let me see--last week I saw "Unfaithful". INSOMNIA is much better, & that is not saying much right now. I think I will try to find the originals of both. This movie is a little too slow for me and will most likely put most people to sleep.
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece
Review: I have not seen such a great, thought provoking and intensely suspenseful film since Nolan's last work, "memento". This is the work of a true artist of cinema. I'm still thinking about it nonstop..I can't wait to see it again.
Rating:
Summary: Robin Williams will...your entire family
Review: LOL, he gives a strikingly good performance as a killer, that happy smile hiding whats really on his mind. I may be kind of biased in saying that Al Pacino once again gives us a another top-notch display in acting, being that he is my favorite actor and I've been waiting too long for another good movie of his(Any Given Sunday? Please!) Pacino plays a detective, but not one with a clear conscience, actually making him a bad guy of sorts.(He's the biggest badass, can he help it?). The combination of his guilt and the entire-day sunlight of Alaka deprives him of sleep, and he gradually falls into a madness that you can sense in his tired old face. This is for sure Pacino's show, but Williams comes very to stealing it. The end sequence will throw everything you thought you knew about Robin Williams out the window.
Rating:
Summary: I Am Definitely An Insomniac!!
Review: I thought this movie was great in every sense of the word great. Before I even saw the movie on its opening night I thought with the cast of Al Pacino, Robin Williams, and Hillary Swank with the direction of Christopher Nolan of Memento fame would make for an outstanding movie. I was not disappointed in the least. Some these other "amateur reviewers" make such a big deal about it being a remake and not being "fresh" piece of work. Some times these remakes really work and this it certainly is a case in point. {for instances a not-so-good remake is Vanilla Sky, of the top of my head) As for as acting gods go, Al Pacino is definitely Mount Rushmore in my book. His turn here as a fatigued, two-faced detective with rather auspicious methods is absolutely pitch perfect and will get him on the Best Actor short list. Ditto for Robin Williams. His performance here continues to confirm his ever-increasing reputation as a considerable dramatic actor of grand proportions. Hillary Swank's turn here stands up well to the other two quite outstanding performances. With this movie, Christopher Nolan has offically arrived in the modern filmmaking era proving that Memento was no fluke or flash in the pan. The only slight problem with his movies are the release dates on them. Last year Memento was released way early and may have been mostly forgotten by Oscar time. This year Insomnia is again early and is also competing against the cash cows Spider Man and the latest Star Wars movie that will make for a tough run at the box office. If you enjoy smart well-acted movies, this is a sure bet.
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