Salocin

Insomnia - Review

Following Memento was always going to be a hard task and remaking an already respected Norwegian movie only added grist to the mill of those critics looking to see a genuine English cinematic talent drop the ball.

Fortunately, Insomnia is a triumph. The harnessing of quality acting to an intelligent plot reminded me of nothing more than LA Confidential.

Briefly, two LA detectives caught in the middle of an IA investigation are sent to Alaska to assist with a murder case. Hap Eckhart (Martin Donovan) is planning to help IA with their investigations, to the potential detriment of Will Dormer (the ironically monikered Al Pacino). During a confusing beach chase of the killer, Dormer shoots and kills his partner. As Dormer’s perceptions are increasingly fractured by his lack of sleep, the killer reappears and starts playing psychological games that the detective is ill prepared to deal with.

From the start, the film looks stunning. The Alaskan background provides a truly cinematic backdrop for the events of the narrative. Nolan and his editor superbly utilise fast cutting and disorientating compositions to involve the audience in Dormer’s fragmenting perceptions.

Within that framework, Pacino and (after his delayed entrance) Robin Williams (almost unrecognisable from his usually over sentimental persona) spark off one another whilst Hilary Swank and Martin Donovan (criminally overlooked by Hollywood for so long) provide sterling support.

The film has several superb set pieces – a chase over logs, the beach sequence and the climactic shoot out spring to mind – but is at heart a psychological thriller depending on the performances of its leads and the wit of its characters to deliver its twists and turns.

Excellent at every level, this is a classic example of what Hollywood can do when it martials its financial and artistic weight behind a quality product.