Review of Insomnia (2002) by Tom R — 31 Mar 2012

This guy crossed the line and didn't even blink.

Hitchcock couldn't have done better himself. In the tradition of Strangers on a Train this one is guaranteed to entertain.

The Story: When an LA detective accidentally kills his partner during an Alaskan investigation of the murder of a young woman, he's offered a way to cover it up but finds himself caught up in deadly game of cat and mouse, and a blackmail scheme, as he fights his guilt and the sly murderer of the young woman... Okay, I know that was a hellacious sentence, and I'm not sure if it was all that clear, but hopefully I'll clear things up for you in just a few seconds. Atmospheric and moody describe this film to a tee. It's got a great dark, brooding style and is cinematically spectacular as the camera pulls you deep into the films world.

The Acting: Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Hilary Swank. All give great performances. Robin Williams is Walter Finch, the villain. He actually plays a pretty good sinister bad guy. He makes you almost feel sorry for his character and really want to believe what he says, all the while you grow to hate him for what he's done. Al Pacino is Detective Will Dormer, the good guy. He gives a solid performance as guilt slowly eats away at his character from the inside out for the accidental murder of his partner. The anger, sadness, frustration, and everything else that is conveyed through his character is conveyed with such conviction that you actually forget it's Al Pacino at times, you're not watching Pacino in a movie, your watching Dormer in his life. Hilary Swank is Detective Ellie Burr, the woman. She also gives a great performance here. She's not exactly a victim, a hero, a love interest, or anything like that. Instead, she serves as kind of a median between the two leads, both understanding and judgmental. I'm not a huge fan of hers but she played the part better than anyone else would have.

One to Five Scale: 5.

The strong cast, the bold story, and shear Hitchcockian style brilliance of the film make this one a must see. It's not a big mystery, and it's not an edge of your seat thriller to the fullest extent, but it's got it's moments and is guaranteed to pull you in and never let you go with it's relentless emotional energy.

Tyler.