Review of Sleepless (2001) by Andres L — 22 Nov 2007

A return to form for Argento after a series of less than stellar efforts (which includes "Trauma", "Stendhal Syndrome", "Two Evil Eyes", and the horrendous "Phantom of the Opera"), this film adapts a traditional giallo model - complete with overly complex plot, over-the-top murder sequences, and a Goblin rock-and-roll score.

Indeed, the film (as almost every critic points out) plays like a "greatest hits" picture - recycling alot of older material together - but it nevertheless works as Argento showcases that he still can stage solid suspense sequences, throw an ample amount of red herrings at us to trick us, and stir in us a guilty giddiness as he plays out scenes of shocking yet beautiful murders.

It's by no means anything exceptional, but it is still efficient and effective. Recommended for fans of the giallo, but others not familiar with the genre should skip this and rent one of the Argento classics instead (such as "Deep Red", "Suspiria", "Bird with the Crystal Plumage", or "Tenebre").