Insomnia (2002/I)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Christopher Nolan

Writers (WGA):

Hillary Seitz (screenplay)
Nikolaj Frobenius (1997 screenplay) ...

Release Date:

24 May 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Days never end. Nightmares are real. No one is innocent.

Plot:

Two Los Angeles homicide detectives are dispatched to a northern town where the sun doesn't set to investigate the methodical murder of a local teen.

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Police | Alaska | Insomnia | Police Detective

Awards:

1 win & 8 nominations

Cast

Al Pacino	...	Will Dormer
Hilary Swank	...	Ellie Burr
Oliver 'Ole' Zemen	...	Pilot
Martin Donovan	...	Hap Eckhart
Paul Dooley	...	Chief Nyback
Nicky Katt	...	Fred Duggar
Larry Holden	...	Farrell
Jay Brazeau	...	Francis
Lorne Cardinal	...	Rich
James Hutson	...	Officer #1
Andrew Campbell	...	Officer #2
Paula Shaw	...	Coroner
Crystal Lowe	...	Kay Connell
Tasha Simms	...	Mrs. Connell
Maura Tierney	...	Rachel Clement

Also Known As:

Insomnie (Canada: French title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language, some violence and brief nudity.

Runtime:

118 min

Country:

USA | Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Malaysia:18PL (uncut version) | Malaysia:U (edited version) | Brazil:12 | New Zealand:M | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Canada:14A | Finland:K-15 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Philippines:PG-13 | Singapore:NC-16 | South Korea:15 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #38846)

Filming Locations:

Alaska, USA

Company:

Alcon Entertainment

Trivia:

Just two weeks after the film was released in Bulgaria, it premiered on the Bulgarian HBO.

Goofs:

Plot holes: In spite of the fact that Finch saw Dormer kill his partner, during the 2nd call by Finch to Dormer, Dormer should have at least traced the call, especially since the call was made to a police station.

Quotes:

Fred Duggar: What has two thumbs and likes blowjobs?
[Points to himself with both thumbs]
Fred Duggar: This guy!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Batman: The Journey Begins (2005) (V)

Soundtrack:

One More Last Kiss

Excellent Performances, Especially Williams

One doesn't expect to feel claustrophobic in Alaska, but that's exactly the effect when watching "Insomnia". The primary story is about the police investigation of the murder of a high-school girl in a small Alaskan town. Through the pull of old acquaintances and political necessity, two LA homicide detectives (Pacino and Martin Donovan) are dispatched to the scene to help the locals. The political necessity concerns a graft investigation in which the two LA detectives are key suspects. One is thinking of copping a plea, so they are spirited out of LA to avoid the investigative light. Then they find themselves in the 24-hour day of the Alaskan summer where the two plot lines collide; the murder investigation and the graft. And what a collision it is.

The insomnia of the title is suffered by the Pacino character, who can't sleep during the movie's 7-day span. And each day his eyes are more sunken, he's groggier, less focused. This parallels his descent into guilt, remorse, and desperation. But to provide any more details would be to give away key plot elements. "Insomnia" is gripping and it's best to see the movie cold.

The acting, especially Robin Williams as the key suspect in the child slaying, is top notch. Williams is made for these roles, he should kiss the suck-up feel-good stuff goodbye for good. The photography is excellent, Alaska never looked so ominous, and the direction delivers the goods. Highly recommended.