In Nolan’s filmography, almost every film is interesting, but there is one film that least fits the definition of a “typical Nolan film.” After the success of the film “Remember” Nolan took note in Hollywood, but at the same time the director was in the line of lack of money and in order to improve his financial situation, agreed to remake the Norwegian film “Insomnia”, which was exclusively a studio project, and Nolan had nowhere to show a creative beginning. Therefore, he just qualitatively put a good film, which then is not particularly noticeable, and now attracts audience attention except by the name of the director. Not so long ago brought a new acquaintance with the picture and is ready to share his opinion, and some thoughts on this tape.
A narrative criterion or narrative. Experienced LAPD detective Will Dormer and his partner are sent to a small town in Alaska to investigate the murder of a seventeen-year-old girl. Dormer's partner is killed during one of the police duties on a deserted rocky shore. Meanwhile, the investigation progresses and the police have a suspect. This is Walter Finch - a man of a romantic character, leading a secluded lifestyle. The death of a partner deprives the detective of sleep. Increasingly entangled in Finch's machinations, Dormer risks losing more than just sleep on those white summer nights. This is the only film whose script was not written by Nolan, and therefore some of the director’s chips can only be found in the appearance of the tape. The main idea was transferred without changes – the confrontation between the law enforcement officer and the criminal. The main idea seemed interesting to me - if you keep a secret, and someone third was aware of the circumstances, then you will do everything so that there are no more initiates. Dormer is forced to play a double game and the way he teeters on the brink of exposure, involves and doesn't let go until the very end. This story could have been put by anyone, David Fincher asked all the time. Too many parallels came to mind. Interesting fact: Two detectives who came to investigate the circumstances of the crime, "talking" names. The name "Dormer" is similar to the French word "dormeur". Eckhart's name - "Hap" in English means "luck" (hap). In the film, Dormer will suffer from insomnia, and Eckhart will one day be denied luck. The plot is fascinating and catchy, which will undoubtedly be appreciated by connoisseurs of good detectives.
Visual criterion or technical support of the tape. The cameraman was Wally Pfister, who worked with Nolan on the previous tape, and this is evident in the quality of the picture. Even scenes that don’t have much light look beautiful. For a long time I thought what word to choose to describe the exact atmosphere and mood of the film – Nordic. In the sense that the prevailing cold tones in color correction, and leisurely pace as the main sign of the overall weightiness of the narrative. The viewer, along with Dormer, experiences insomnia, loses touch with reality in the hero and at some point the viewer begins to doubt the reality of the surrounding space, or just go to sleep. There is a danger of getting bored, but the finale is worth trying to imbue with the content and visual appearance of the tape. Alaskan landscapes can become a decoration of your desktop. Musically, the tape is also able to please. Each melody works to create a viscous atmosphere, composer David Julian wrote some good ambient themes, connoisseurs of the genre will take a couple of melodies into service. The problem can only be the pace of the story, because here you close your eyes and miss an important detail. But the movie doesn’t get any worse.
The acting is great. Robin Williams and Al Pacino created an incredible tandem in which each of the actors showed their best sides. Al Pacino most convincingly played a man suffering from insomnia, due to the fact that he himself suffered from it in reality and every moral torment is reflected on his face, over time insomnia worsens and the hero begins to doubt every step. Viktor Kostetsky was a perfect actor and character. Robbie Williams played an unusual role of a controversial villain. Gennady Bogachev voice managed to convey external good nature and the presence of an inner villain. Williams himself has a positive energy. The very fact that he was able to play such a character shows that the actor experimented with the role and was open to new roles. Hillary Swank played Ellie Burr and coped well, the benefit of the role did not require a high level of penetration, but in the second half gave emotions, a little stingy, as for me, but coped with the task.
The tape was successful, it turned out to be oppressive and atmospheric at the same time. Everything secret sooner or later becomes apparent. Nolan could have put the point in a more obscure way. Here, the writers made it a little easier, but dug into the past of the hero, giving him torment about the difficult act committed in the past and how a tangle of secrets deprives him of sleep and makes him doubt every step. I advise to acquaintance connoisseurs of Nordic oppressive thrillers, exciting intriguing plot and opposition of positive and negative. The tape gets a strong nine from me, because it works well for me, plus I like Nolan. Your impressions of the tape can and should be different from my IMHO. All health, peace and a good movie.
Insomnia is an atypical Christopher Nolan movie because it’s almost an ordinary movie.
There are no complex puzzles, games with time, nonlinear plot, pseudo-scientific chatter and all that we love and still do not fully understand. In the dry residue there is only a “sense of time”. You know, when you feel every minute of a two-hour movie. When a movie doesn't end too fast and it doesn't last forever. It's a pleasant feeling to top off the euphoria. It's all subjective, of course. But what about the movie itself?
The 1997 remake of the Norwegian thriller follows an old wolf detective, Al Pacino, from Los Angeles, who arrives in Alaska with his partner to investigate the unusual murder of a young girl. And at this time, somewhere behind the scenes in hot Los Angeles, all the corrupt or dishonest police officers are spinning. Here is the detective and partner on this occasion and reflect. But Al Pacino doesn't need to worry. He's an honest, sinless and decent cop who can sleep well. Right? But the main character cannot sleep. Whether he is tormented by the white nights in Alaska or his own conscience.
My problem with the film is its saturation. And many plot moves are known in advance. But all because I was expecting to see a maniac movie. A film where there will be complex puzzles, unexpected plot turns and an unusual ending. That's not the movie. A film about a detective. He came to investigate the crime because it was his job. This is the background for revealing him as a person. A film about conscience and sins. Already in the middle of the film, we cease to be interested in the “main villain”, and the movie finally becomes a drama of the personality. The cast of the film is quite unusual. I never thought I'd see Robin Williams and Al Pacino in the same picture. And the poster. In general, the picture wants to spoiler itself as much as possible, which indicates the “importance” of the main quest. I personally would not review Insomnia to search for deeper meanings. It was a pleasure to see the first and only time, but no more. But if you want to fill in your gaps in the work of Nolan or you are interested in films about the self-digging of police officers, then watching Insomnia is just holy.
Christopher Nolan is one of my favorite directors and I always liked his handwriting in the movies, but in Insomnia there is some indifference in this regard. This film is somewhat reminiscent of the early work of David Fincher, to some extent some of the work of other important directors of the detective genre, but I can hardly identify the film as a Nolan film, and this is clearly visible not only for the reason that this is the only time in his career when Christopher did not actively participate in the work on the script.
No, I don’t attribute the above to the downsides, just as the fact that it doesn’t feel like a filmmaker whose techniques are familiar and recognizable in their individuality. This movie is just a little different that does not take away its merits, which are here with abundance.
A simple, at first glance, story that takes a new turn after an accident with the partner of the character Al Pacino. Putting a detective in a situation where he has to cover up a known culprit for the sake of preserving everything he has worked for in his life is an interesting and really fresh move. Among other things, it’s just a good, qualitatively knocked-down story that doesn’t need re-adaptation corrections and a new interpretation.
I would like to note an interesting visual component and techniques, which in the film simply and convincingly demonstrate how the detective’s body is affected by prolonged lack of sleep and emotional stress, in view of the need to conduct this disgusting double game for the hero. Also well shot dialogue scenes, in which a simple, but very relevant and working implementation takes the scene to a new level, while doing this not so much thanks to the text, but the staging of other, in many ways no less important moments when shooting dialogue scenes.
Also, I can not but honor with a couple of warm words the excellent selection of actors for the corresponding roles of heroes. Al Pacino, Hilary Swank and Robin Williams are a perfect hit, which significantly strengthens the already verified film.
The movie is interesting and definitely deserves attention, but I hardly want to revise this story, which is to some extent determined by the genre, but the matter is somewhat deeper. “Insomnia” is a good movie that is worth reading, but not a great one that you will want to discover with time from a new side.
This movie may have been good in the years it came out, but today it's a bit simple. There are films that you can watch through the years / generations, but this one does not apply to them, although, I repeat: it is not bad, just outdated ... lost its sharpness.
“Insomnia” is an interesting phenomenon that allows you to see the creation of the main visionary of modern Hollywood – Christopher Nolan – the most limited by the studio and genre framework of the same Hollywood, but twenty years earlier.
The film is a remake of the eponymous Norwegian thriller and organically fits into the especially popular at the turn of the century crime thriller genre. “Insomnia” and the truth at first glance may seem one of the films with the least noticeable author’s handwriting Nolan.
Unfortunately, I am not yet familiar with the Norwegian source and cannot judge how different the two Insomnias are. But despite everything, Nolan’s film is more than a formula for “policeman vs. maniac.”
Thanks to several unexpected plot twists, the plot becomes complicated, throwing the heroes of a difficult moral choice. The intensity of the narrative increases with each day spent by the hero Al Pacino without sleep. He constantly insists that details matter - and the film fascinatingly illustrates that idea. Add the picturesque views of deserted Alaska, the oppressive atmosphere of a northern town, the hypnotic Al Pacino in the role of a tired elderly police officer in every sense and Robin Williams in an atypical dramatic role for him - and this will be enough to cling to the screen for the next two hours.
And although the finale is a little disappointing with its simplicity and unambiguity, before us is still a strong crime thriller that does not look like the films of Christopher Nolan and does not become a revelation - but is the very good action film from the zeros, which is sometimes so wanted to watch.
In his third film, Christopher Nolan managed to lure two world stars: Al Pacino and Robin Williams. Without exaggeration, this is the strongest cast among all the director's films.
Budget ' Insomnia' an order of magnitude exceeds the budget of the first two films of the author. You can see the branded Nolan scope, epicity and drive.
For me, the plot of the film is less profound than in previous films. This time the emphasis is mainly on the action scene, environment and acting. Oh, how beautiful she is here. This is probably the best insomnia I've ever seen, without exaggeration. With every minute, with every moment, we see all the hardship, all the suffering that a person suffering from this ailment experiences.
In the film, we can observe the landscapes of Alaska, with its inherent Nordic beauty. It perfectly complements the atmosphere of the film. Nolan shows us the quiet streets of the towns of the state, the measured life of the locals. Shows us it in such a way that you want to plunge into all this and stay there!
Nolan's action scene is a separate article. It was this picture that showed us Nolan as a brilliant director of such scenes, yes, although not as epic as in subsequent films, but still. Chasing, parkour elements, acrobatics, shooting - all this is at the highest level, it is a pleasure to watch.
Also, it is impossible not to note the quality of work with sound. You can see how carefully we approached the selection of music.
For me, the plot of the film seemed extraordinary, the narrative is tractive and not particularly interesting. This film is unique in that you are not particularly attracted to the plot - you enjoy the process, the passage of time in the film, the acting, the atmosphere, but not the dialogue - they do not bribe. The director's mistake! In fact, the film is carried by two star actors: Al Pacino and Robin Williams.
7 out of 10
From the description 'Insomnia' at first it may seem that this is a chamber detective about a small town like the classic British stories, where each resident has his own secret. Well, or as in ' Pretty Little Liars', 'Riverdale' etc. That’s not true, but I really liked the movie.
Nolan made it, and even his early work is difficult. Idea ' Insomnia' intertwined with Kantian thinking on ethics. The main question in the film is not who killed (it becomes clear in the middle), and what will be the main detective, if the killer has some dirt on the detective, will be questioned. The investigator has a difficult choice: to surrender the killer and be up to his ears in trouble, after which, perhaps, the real monsters that he once put behind bars will be released; or to collude with the killer ...
Kant’s categorical imperative dictates that when making a difficult decision, you should do what you would like everyone to do in such a situation. Nolan offers his answer. . .
The film is a remake of the Scandinavian detective and the atmosphere is very reminiscent of the original. The painful state of sleepless nights, increasing paranoia and impending hallucinations are conveyed to Al Pacino remarkably. Hilary Swank plays her character less dramatic than she might have imagined, but bearable. The film is more about philosophy, guilt, the difficult choices we want someone else to make, and less about murder, mystery and mystery.
9 out of 10
I'll start with the banal stuff. The first one does not feel the hands of Nolan, with his plot twists and turns (but the atmosphere is conveyed by beautiful landscapes), does not like the play of Robin Williams (about him later), and does not like Al Pacino, or rather his hero. Al himself as always on top, in any years, but his character is rejection and abomination.
The detective, who is about to retire so much unmotivated, unreasonable & #39; fee & #39; to others. To his colleague with whom he came, to the mustachioed detective, and only to the character Swank, he was favorable. The motives why he hates the mustachioed detective so much that in one of the scenes he calls him a freak with all hatred that I even took aback, rewinded, he thought of the maniac with such malice says, I did not find. The hero Pacino has so many, if not pontificates, then requirements for others. By all appearances, it shows that the local detectives weren't even near someone like Will Dormer. And the old man himself is crazy with every action. Starting with the main 'file' which was chopped off by an old grandfather (now I will call the hero Pacino in the future in the review), around which (file) the plot floor revolves. And I note, this 'file' he committed when the notorious insomnia with his hero had not yet had time to begin. Finishing with the fact that according to the legend of his character, he and in his town chebubuchi / learned that not to wash. In general, in the end, we have the main protagonist, who does not sympathize and completely repels his actions, behavior, character. Maybe that was intended. Is there a source? I don't know, I judge this picture with these characters and actors. The actors ... the next one comes under my unflattering opinion - Robin Williams. It is customary to praise his work, for whatever reason, and marvel at his dramatic roles. Well, I will not do the second one, because since the days of Awakening & #39; I remember him, from the new side he did not open to me. I’m not going to do the first one, because for me, Robin, in this particular movie, is a cruel mistress. The scene of dialogue/talk between two characters on the ferry is like this 'hand face'... The character is slurred, too. At first, he is secretive, cunning and thoughtful in phone conversations with Detective Dormer. He knows how many days he hasn't slept, he's got intelligence. Then he, as his identity is declassified, appears as such a faint-hearted, weak person. Then this weak man shows remarkable physical strength and resorts to weapons. I didn’t know what Williams’ character was, but he played it out of hand, even if it was meant to be that way.
What we got on the way out. A mediocre detective, who personally, and I think not only, attracted the actors of the first echelon and the director. Faceless and vile characters. The absence of any unexpected plot twists that you expect not only from Nolan, but also in general watching the detective.
It's a disappointment, not a movie.
Insomnia is a film with a strong, catchy plot, but not causing strong emotions. This movie has all the ingredients of a good movie, and in fact it is. But for now, next to the title of the film, it will always be said that it is a film by Christopher Nolan - a living legend of cinema. After only one movie, and one of his names on the posters of the next movies will be able to attract people to theaters. In fact, "Insomnia" is the most unexpressed film of the famous director - this is the only feature film in which he did not have a hand in the script.
This film allowed Christopher Nolan to see one of his favorite screenplay techniques - direct opposition of the protagonist and antagonist. This will later be reflected in the Batman trilogy, the films Prestige and Interstellar, etc. But this technique in the film "Insomnia" could not work without a well-written script - the film keeps in suspense throughout the timing, there are no major plot holes and illogical decisions of the characters. The action takes place in Alaska, an incredibly picturesque place, and the cameraman Wally Pfister, who will still direct most of Nolan’s films, did a great job.
The cast in Insomnia is great. The three central characters are already Oscar-winning actors at that time - the incredibly charismatic Al Pacino, who sees the emotions in each film Robin Williams and the pleasant-looking Hilary Swank. The last of the three is not particularly shiny, because two cult actors will be able to outshine anyone.
The whole plot works to imbue the character of Al Pacino - police detective Will Dormer. The situation in which he fell will not leave anyone indifferent, that is for sure. This story is not about a good man who is in trouble, but about a man who doesn’t really know who he is. Only the character of Robin Williams understands the famous detective, who is put in direct comparison with the main character. And the detective has to decide for himself what kind of person he is - good or bad. The presence of insomnia (due to some reason), and, therefore, the pangs of conscience does not speak about the essence of a person, whether he is a psychopath or a brave police officer. Everyone is sure that he is a good person, but whether he really is a very big question. In the plot there is a young police officer performed by Hilary Swank, an idealist and a big fan of the deeds of Will Dormer - she serves as a moral compass for the hero Al Pacino, but, oddly enough, she makes the same choice in parallel with him. In parallel, the audience can try to give an answer, but the finale in any case will amaze everyone.
This film does not cause a storm of emotions, it asks difficult questions to every viewer. In future films of Nolan, he will continue to ask questions about human nature, but with the help of his own scripts based on science fiction concepts, the director will cause joy, tears, and admiration with his stories. But this movie doesn't do that, it has a different mission. Most of the negative reviews were made by people who watched the original (the film is a remake of the Norwegian film Insomnia in 1997), so fans of Scandinavian thrillers should pay attention primarily to the original. I highly recommend this film to Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Christopher Nolan fans. Don’t wait for the big storytelling you might have seen in the director’s later films. Here you will see another Christopher Nolan and he will not disappoint you.
I first watched the Norwegian (original) version of 1997 with Stellan Skarsgård in the title role, then this American remake for comparison. Both are not bad, both have their pros and cons, but in general, subjectively, naturally, I liked the European original more, despite the great performance of Al Pacino and Robin Williams in this version.
European, although it seems more gray and boring, on the whole came out more atmospheric, realistic and humane. The main character there is the same detective, but at the same time - an ordinary person, entangled in himself and in the situation, with his weaknesses and cockroaches, in the American version, the hero Al Pacino is just a supercop, teaching and mentoring everyone, such a role model, with all the advantages of his game it annoyed. Although the American 'Insomnia' looks certainly much more expensive, spectacular and generally more drive, but this gloss seemed to me something artificial, fake or something - like an artificial tan. What a final, of course. I won’t spoiler anyone who has seen both versions will understand.
As they say, everyone has his own. It is known that in America specially reshoot foreign films for domestic consumption, because they watch mostly their own and do not perceive others. I don’t want to draw any general conclusions, but in this case I believed the Norwegian version more than the American one.
Good day, dear friends! When three Oscar winners converge on the same set, especially under the leadership of one of the most progressive directors of Hollywood, one should expect a really loud and strong movie. Christopher Nolan presented his extraordinary view on what a psychological thriller should be. The film was based on such a common phenomenon as insomnia. When a person is seriously affected by this phenomenon, the world can indeed appear in a very unexpected light. I think it's okay if you don't get one night's sleep, but if the first sleepless night is followed by another and then another? It is easy to lose clarity of thinking and an adequate assessment of what is happening!
Detective Will Dormer (Al Pacino) is known far beyond the Los Angeles Police Department. In educational institutions, future police officers studied his brilliant investigations. They want to be like him, for many people he was an idol, comparable to God. But even idols sometimes make mistakes and Dormer suddenly finds himself in the center of an internal investigation. Just at this time in a small town, lost in the middle of the vast expanses of Alaska, in the town of Nightmuth there was a brutal murder of a young seventeen-year-old girl. The local police were powerless and Dormer was sent to help. Like in exile or just to wait out the excitement that was going on around his name. Along with him flies and his constant partner Hap Eckhart. It’s not the first time they work together, but their relationship is far from friendly. To help the notorious police assigned Ellie Behr - a longtime fan of Dormer. The case turns out to be obvious and a team of policemen is sent to detain the suspect, where a tragedy occurs. In the thick fog of Alaska, Dormer makes a fatal mistake and shoots his partner. He decides to hide this fact from colleagues, but only the witness of the incident is the killer of the girl.
The policeman is, without a doubt, a favorite Hollywood hero. That's just the created movie image of the minister of order is often too perfect and far from reality. And the more different from them is the image of Will Dormer - he is just perfect, not a superman, but not a scoundrel. As in life, where there can be separately 'black' and separately 'white' Al Pacino painted before us the image of a living person with a complex inner world, character, problems, fears and doubts. In the end, it turned out to be a real, living person! Al Pacino uses the entire arsenal of his acting skills to show the slow, gradual fall of his character. Tired voice, facial expressions, colorless voice.
Less than half of the film passes, as we understand that we are not at all a detective (since the killer is known almost from the beginning), but a psychological thriller. The killer quickly discovers himself and begins to blackmail Dormer, who is losing his temper. Observing the identity of the policeman, a natural question arises: why did Will just not confess his actions to colleagues? Accidental murder while apprehending a dangerous criminal is not uncommon. It is difficult to assess the depth of the conflict developing between the partners, but it is obvious that the threat of prison for official crimes turned them into hidden enemies. And as a consequence, the question arises - did Dormer actually accidentally shoot his partner? A man who has already solved so many complex and intricate cases, who has written many books on forensic science, becomes the victim of a cunning, but far from brilliant killer. The situation is complicated by the climatic features of Alaska, Dormer can not sleep at all on white nights, a common phenomenon in these places. Night after night, days mingle together, and a solid professional in his field turns into a very twitchy subject who ceases to distinguish friends from enemies.
So the killer is not covered in darkness. Walter Finch (Robin Williams) is a capable writer with pedophilic tendencies. A more two-faced character is hard to imagine! Possessing a quite ordinary and disposed of appearance, he hides in himself simply diabolical sophistication. One can only wonder if he would have fallen for Dormer had it not been for the damned white nights. But it happened! Finch was not such an inventive criminal, but a ridiculous accident allowed him to have an ace up his sleeve & #39; The perpetrator rightly decided that the two killers should keep each other's secrets. Perhaps Finch learned the art of manipulation on the go, but you also need to be able to masterfully use circumstances.
The plot offers viewers a huge ground for reflection, allowing him to think and reflect on whether the character Al Pacino did the right thing. The picture is diluted by a young police intern - the heroine of Hilary Swank, an idealist who strictly follows the letter of the law. She has not yet experienced the complexity of the job. The film has a gloomy, viscous, but very addictive atmosphere. Yes, in this film all the events develop quite slowly, but that in no way makes it boring. This is done in order to focus the attention of the audience on the details that the film is simply full of. All the characters in the film are alive!
The main idea of the film is to show people that everything in this life must be paid for and that the end never justifies the dishonest means of achieving it! Very controversial and idealized opinion, but in my opinion very correct and correct! One of the characters of the film says: ': Here people are divided into two types - those who were born here, and those who come here to forget their past. I wasn't born here!' The film, as I said, has a dark landscape. An endless white night can crush even the most iron psyche.
Summing up: this is a very dark, heavy film, without the usual stamps for American militants, not dynamic, half-sleepy, based mainly on the acting of brilliant actors. The picture does not have the modern, action-packed entertainment that many people can expect. Therefore, not everyone can appreciate this film, but it is one of the best representatives of the genre of psychological thriller.
Thank you for listening to my review!
I don’t know, but for me it’s Christopher Nolan’s best movie. Yes, he made that sensational trilogy about a man in a bat costume, yes, he has films about memory loss and invasion of dreams, which may be more popular with viewers. But it is “Insomnia” for me personally stands alone in the work of this director.
In the middle of the quiet landscapes of Alaska, a young girl was killed, and the main character of the film performed by Al Pacino arrives from Los Angeles to investigate it. But is he a hero?
The detective suffers from insomnia - so it happens, until acclimatization passes, it is common. Or isn't it? What is the reason for the inability to sleep - external stimuli or still a restless state of mind? An uneasy conscience?
Does the purpose justify the means? What happens if you commit a crime with good intentions? Will it not be necessary to close one lie with another, even greater, will it not give rise to a too long chain of crimes, will it not be too much for the moral principle of a decent, in general, person?
The film holds from beginning to end, and when the denouement happens, you remain in a certain state of calm. No, the aftertaste of the film is not sad, but rather invigorating for reflection. Where is the line beyond which the champion of the law becomes a criminal? Will good intentions lead to a network of lies and self-deception?
For Robin Williams, now deceased, participation in this film is one of the few serious roles, and he coped with his role with dignity. The eternal tragedy of clowns with serious eyes is that having taught people to perceive themselves as a source of fun and clowning, making their careers on this, it is difficult to convince them of their dramatic talent. Such actors are often not given serious roles, and the audience is not always ready to see them in a different role. So it was with our favorite Soviet actors - with the same Vitsin, Nikulin ... So it is everywhere.
... Returning to the film, I will only say that the movie is not entertaining, and it is unlikely to appeal to fans of pop-corn blockbusters, saturated and oversaturated with pif-puffs, babushkas and sometimes dubious humor; it is a detective drama - oppressive, atmospheric, in beautiful natural scenery, with a psychological game between antagonist and protagonist, with crime and his redemption, with blackmail ... and the right choice that is never too late to make.
10 out of 10
Being a fan of the work of Christopher Nolan, having watched all his films, including such as 'Inception' and slightly less successful 'The Dark Knight', could not pass by 'Insomnia'. The advantages of this film are many, and they outweigh even some of the oddities in the behavior of the main character. However, they can still be explained by the nature of the character, and this explanation will be given below.
1. The plot of the film initially resembles a detective story and is quite simple: Dormer is a police officer from a major city, Los Angeles, and his partner are called to investigate a murder in Alaska. Simplicity quickly gives way to unpredictability when it turns out that Dormer’s partner stood across the road. When the killers become two, the focus finally shifts to Dormer.
The film turned out to be very dynamic and atmospheric, what is happening keeps in suspense and causes the viewer (at least the author of the review) interest: until the very end it is unclear how it will end. Looking at Dormer, you realize that for all his observation and intuition, he is extremely vulnerable, and even a frankly mediocre person, such as a murderer, is able to put pressure on him.
In addition to the events themselves and the intrigue associated with them, the film also has an idea: interesting questions are touched upon. Was Dormer's partner accidentally killed? And if so, how did the detective react to his death? Such seemingly simple questions, but the answer to them allows you to understand the essence of man, his principles, what he lives.
What matters is not the laws forbidding murder – it is only an external factor, but what happens in the soul of the murderer. Insomnia is a symbol of the suffering of a person who accidentally (?) became the one against whom he fought.
The acting of Al Pacino in the title role is habitually high level. The rest is not so brilliant: the female detective, who is, in theory, an important character, is stingy on emotions, the criminal is too smiley and intelligent (it cannot be said that this is bad, but a little excessive), it stresses even in the final scene.
The landscapes of Alaska are shown well and appropriately. The climate and terrain in which the events unfold play an important role in what is happening, to some extent saving Dormer from exposure by colleagues. In addition, they add realism: what is the scene with the pursuit of a murderer, where Dormer is in the water!
Summing up, we can say that 'Insomnia' is a high-quality detective thriller with elements of drama. Recommended for all fans of these genres!
This is the most “ordinary” film of the director. There's no reverse narrative, English elegant costumes, hidden meanings and all that. Nevertheless, “Insomnia” is a competent psychological thriller that can make you wait for the final. This does not prevent even the general viscous atmosphere of what is happening. Neonoir as it is. It is also worth noting that this picture is a remake of the Norwegian thriller of the same name. Realization of this fact makes it clear why there are so many fogs, rocks and mysterious murders, coupled with the complicated characters of all characters without exception.
Especially in terms of acting, of course, the main stars of the film were noted - Al Pacino and the now deceased Robin Williams (in the most atypical role for himself, by the way). Their acting work can be safely preserved as reference in the genre. That was really great. I do not say anything about the story so as not to spoil for those who have not seen it yet. The plot is very, very good, intriguing almost from the first minutes, so do not blink the thread of the plot, in the paintings of Nolan this is the main thing. It is worth watching how something purely Nolanov is not perceived, sometimes you forget that it was shot by a well-known Englishman.
A small town away from civilization, a gloomy atmosphere and cold, penetrating directly into the soul. The murder of a young girl and an old cop with skeletons in the closet. A chic cast and a contradictory story that not all accidents are random and not all crimes are so bad, because sometimes, in our complex world, to do the right thing, you have to break the law. This is what Christopher Nolan’s thriller “Insomnia” consists of.
The film attracts with its gloom. There are no bright colors or warm sun – this is the realm of snow and fog. Before us is an unusual detective, in which the main goal is to expose the criminal. In our case, the investigation is only the key to better understand the soul of the protagonist. What did an experienced and well-respected detective do? For what sins was he pulled out of cozy Los Angeles and sent to hell to investigate the unremarkable murder of a young girl? Why does Detective Dormer have a tense relationship with his partner, and doom, anger and guilt flash in his eyes? All these questions are much more interesting than the banal, who is the killer?
The plot can be divided into two parts. The first is the usual criminal search, which we can see in any detective series. But the second act of our play is much more interesting. In it, the hero calculates the criminal, but certain circumstances force Dormer to contact the killer instead of immediately sending him to prison. The relationship between the detective and the criminal is the main decoration of the story. First of all, it is the merit of two great actors. Al Pacino and Robin Williams played brilliantly. The dialogue on the ferry is fascinating, and from the interrogation scene goosebumps run over the body. Pacino once again proved the power of his acting talent. This person is able to give a wide range of emotions with just one phone. Williams for the first time in his long career played a truly negative character and coped brilliantly.
While this film may not be innovative or brilliant, it was interesting to immerse myself in the world of ambiguous crime and human psychology for two hours.
P.S. Christopher Nolan once again met my expectations.
Al Pacino is without doubt one of the most modern actors, who for almost 50 years has delighted the audience with his masterpiece... You will watch films with his participation with special inspiration, because you expect to see this facial expressions, these emotions again.
But... Insomnia personally disappointed me. Not that the movie is bad or weak. No, the problem here is that you expect a lot more from him than he, the film, can afford.
The plot revolves around a detective from Los Angeles, who, along with his partner, is sent to a small town in Alaska, where he must investigate the murder of a 17-year-old girl. Due to tragic circumstances, his partner dies, and the eternal day does not give him peace, from which the character of Al Pacino begins to suffer from insomnia.
The acting is not bad, but from the cast of the film, or rather from the names, you expect much more. Al Pacino, Robin Williams and Hilary Swank are without exaggeration actors of world scale, but in Insomnia you will not see anything special from him.
Another major problem with the film is that it is terribly predictable. For me, the film, which is a representative of the genre of thrillers, should be unexpected with a huge number of plot twists and moments that change the course of events by 90 degrees. Unfortunately, we cannot observe this here. After 15 minutes, the viewer understands “Who is who”.
Christopher Nolan’s film is not bad, but for the epoch-making director who directed many films that have become classics, “Insomnia” clearly does not hold up!
6 out of 10
The Russian-language trailer for Christopher Nolan’s “Insomnia” says in black and white that the film genre is not a detective or even a thriller – this is a psychological drama!
This is a picture for a thoughtful and attentive viewer with a leisurely course of the plot, meaningful dialogues and philosophical overtones - who wants an attraction of flashing pictures with dismemberment and seas of blood - pass by.
- Everything makes sense. A little lie, a little delinquency. A man betrays himself in small things. They should not be underestimated.
In Insomnia, Nolan takes the viewer through the dark labyrinths of the souls of his heroes and does it on a subconscious level, adding a bunch of small details, clues that are very subtle and clearly do their job in the film and if you are a viewer, was able to catch and decipher them - that is the very high and this is the meaning of his paintings. A dream in a dream, as in the movie “Beginning” or intricate “Remember”.
“Insomnia” is Nolan’s third film, which is considered to be just a “rehearsal”, where he warmed up to perfection and honing his skills. But this is a colossal misconception! The picture is much more interesting, on closer inspection and deeper in concept and idea than it may seem at first glance. It is important to listen carefully to what the characters are talking about and remember every detail, even every movement of the characters, for this is hidden understanding of their actions and actions and everything that happens inside them.
Nightmute is the name of the town where the film took place. Translated as night silence or night silence. Everything from the beginning to the final credits is a puzzle, which is disguised as an ordinary average or unremarkable detective story with a murder and a maniac. A special atmosphere is always present in all of Nolan’s films, but in Insomnia it’s just an immersion in a viscous and sticky something that like a fog envelopes you and lulls you, trying to put your guard down and confuse you. The most magnificent landscapes of the fabulous nature of Alaska (which is only a house near the Finch Glacier) were shot by a talented operator Wally Pfister on nature, and the completely unearthly sound of David Julian at the same time creates a chic necessary atmosphere to plunge into it with a head for 2 hours of timekeeping together with the heroes.
There are two kinds of people in Alaska, those who were born here and those who came here to forget the past. I wasn't born here. "
The dialogues are verified to a single word. Each has its own meaning and ready quote. So ends justify means? Who and how can answer that? Nolan conducts a dialogue with the audience through the characters of his films. It doesn’t give answers, it asks questions that we’re afraid to ask ourselves. This makes you think about a lot in your life. How do we get out of this now? What do we do next? And Dormer sinks more and more into this darkness. Light or darkness? Day or night? "White Nights" highlights and reinforces the effect of his inner struggles as he tries to cross sides.
- It's so damn bright here.
- Nope. It's dark.
Playing with the light in the picture is amazing. All the time Dormer suffers from this, he “closes” from the light, both literally and figuratively (glues tape, lowers the curtain) light streaming from all the cracks in the hotel room. He grabs everything that comes under the hand of things and closes the window with this as soon as he can try to get rid of it, but the light penetrates even through tiny holes driving him crazy.
- You are a good person, but you have forgotten about it.
A powerful finale of the picture... and again the question. Could it have ended differently for the heroes? Or is it just a dream and nothing really happened, and their plane is still flying somewhere over the vast ice desert of Alaska?
Anyone can fail, but not everyone can live with it. Because when you cross the line, once you step on the dark side, even with good intentions, the darkness penetrates you and stays inside forever, waiting for the right moment to strike again. The fine line between good and evil is the essence of the film. The age-old struggle and choice that each of us makes every minute.
10 out of 10
It so happened that only now I was able to get to, I will not fear the word, the masterpiece of one of the most influential directors of our time. And after watching it, I regretted only one thing - that this film had passed me by before.
"Insomnia" is the most original thriller that attracts with its simplicity, and in a good sense of the word.
At first glance, this is a simple story about simple, but at the same time “cool” cops who investigate another crime. However, the longer you immerse yourself in the atmosphere and narrative of the film, the better you understand that the soul of the main character hides not a single demon that puts pressure on him, deprives him of peace and sleep, and one tragic event completely tears them free after which the narrative is turned upside down, and the banal story about the search for a criminal turns into a psychological thriller about a policeman, cornered by his inner fears, entangled in himself and in his ideals.
Also attracts the simplicity of the story, thanks to which you are imbued with the film completely. It is not overloaded, clearly built, and the director and screenwriter very subtly feel the experience and interest of the viewer.
The film is permeated with the idea of loyalty to your ideals and principles even when you stand on the edge of the abyss, as well as the idea of the impossibility of escaping from yourself and your demons – they can not hide, they need to fight. And let it be knowingly losing - the main thing is to stay true to yourself.
This is very well shown in one scene near the end of the film (which, in my opinion, is his quintessence) - at the moment when the hero Al Pacino so slowly and thoughtfully takes his police badge from the nightstand, his actions read only one thing - the man decided everything for himself. At that moment, you know how this movie will end and that’s great.
The lion’s share of the success of this film lies also on the shoulders of the actor’s ensemble.
Al Pacino in the role of a burned policeman is simply magnificent. Probably, other actors could play this role, but Pacino with his look of a tired, but strong and confident person impressed me so much that the brain categorically refuses to represent other actors in this role.
Robin Williams I'm very excited. Yes, he's beautiful in all his roles, but that's where you realize how multifaceted he is - his role is played as subtlely as possible. 10 out of 10.
I would also like to mention Hillary Swank, in the role of an Alaskan cop whose detective talent cannot fully unfold in a quiet and peaceful town.
Summarizing all the above, I want to say that such a simple, but such a strong film I have not watched for a long time.
10 out of 10
The picture begins with drops of blood rubbed into a shirt. Well, the beginning is intriguing, but it has nothing to do with the plot yet.
Detective Walter Dormer (Al Pacino) and his partner Eckhart are sent from Los Angeles to Alaska to investigate the murder of a schoolgirl. Local young detective Ellie Boer (Hilary Swank) helps in the investigation of the case and on the fly grasps Walter’s advice about attention to detail.
At first, everything looks like an ordinary and slightly boring story about a secretive killer and a smart detective, but then Walter’s partner dies under unpleasant circumstances. Only Walter knew about it, as he thought, but later it turned out that the girl’s killer was also aware of what was happening. And this is where the game begins: this film is not about “who is the killer here”, but about what the detective will do in the face of the difficult choices given to him by this very killer, whom we quickly learn.
In Alaska, it never gets dark at this time of year, and it is difficult for an unfamiliar person to fall asleep. Especially when he is offered a deal with his conscience. Al Pacino is great. There are so many movies with him that they seem to know him personally, and he never ceases to admire his acting. He perfectly showed the character of a burned-out detective who does not succumb to a brazen and provocative tone. In this case, you can even take an example in life. A deep character facing his own moral dilemma. Robin Williams (Walter Finch) is more familiar to see in the role of good eccentrics than villains, but here we see not an aggressive criminal, but, on the contrary, a romantic writer, not very confident and with a sweet smile.
The dialogue in the film is so full of meaning that it can be plucked into quotes. The cold landscapes of Alaska personify as a lonely person when he is tormented by insomnia. It is as if there is no soul on the whole planet. Perhaps for this gloomy atmosphere, I will take away 3 points - not a single bright moment in the picture, not a minute to catch my breath.
The main message of the film is that if the goal is worth it justifies the means. And you have to go to it and not change yourself.
7 out of 10
No matter how you feel about Christopher Nolan, to deny that he is one of the most talented directors of a generation is stupid. At the moment, it is an undoubted guarantee of quality. But at the time of the release of the film “Insomnia” he was known only as the director of the great thriller “Remember”, so he needed to consolidate his success. And in my opinion, Nolan managed to do it.
The plot in this film is quite unusual: an old detective Dormer (Al Pacino) comes to Alaska to investigate the murder of a 17-year-old girl. During the investigation, he does something that will haunt him for the rest of the time. He is gradually taken over by insomnia and the manipulation of the killer, confusing the detective. Next, the plot gives us interesting moves that are quite fascinating to watch.
It is worth noting that with the increase in the film budget, Nolan appeared actors of first-class size (Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Hilary Swank). All of them play well, and seeing Williams as the villain, though unusual, but very exciting. Their duet with Pacino makes this film play with new colors.
It’s great to direct because Nolan is a master of his craft. I want to note that the landscapes of Alaska in this film are simply magnificent. It gives the film the atmosphere it needs.
I believe that the film is a worthy representative of the detective genre, but everyone can find a worthy dramatic component for themselves. For example, I was interested in watching the life drama of the detective and his torment of conscience.
8 out of 10
Nolan is one of the few outstanding directors of our time, whose filmography I want to discover constantly, finding new and new facets of his work.
Actually, Insomnia was not an exception, despite the fact that this picture has not gained the large-scale popularity that other of his masterpieces have, I will not be afraid of this word (which is only worth "Prestige"/ "Beginning"/ and may all haters forgive me, but this is his best film "Interstellar").
Speaking of Nolan’s thrillers, which can be compared with Insomnia, his previous work “Memento” ("Remember) comes to mind, and although, here the narrative is conducted sequentially, and not in reverse order, yet the notorious Nolan flashbacks and references to the past here force us to dive deeper and deeper into the subconscious of the heroes and experience all their experiences and torments of conscience as accurately as possible.
An anomaly of local places gives even greater atmosphericity to what is happening on the screen: the characters are in Alaska, in a city where polar night does not occur at this time of year. This feeling of an “infinite” day gives rise to a sense of lost time and emphasizes the hero’s inner struggle with his thoughts.
Al Pacino and Robert Williams, without a doubt, most accurately conveyed the images of their characters and thereby added to the film visual pleasure from viewing.
Heroes who a priori must be on opposite sides of the barricades – detective and criminal – seem to have a lot in common and at some point realize it.
Does the purpose justify the means? Can you give up your principles to achieve it? And how far can a man who deceives himself first go?
In general, the film is recommended for viewing, if only to add another work to the collection of films by Christopher Nolan, despite the fact that it is certainly not his best work, but nevertheless deserves attention.
7 out of 10
Only recently I watched for the first time such a good picture of the master-director Christopher Nolan, with Al Pacina, Robin Williams, Hilary Swank in the lead roles.
Insomnia is the scourge of the 20th and subsequent centuries, until people understand the secrets of the subconscious, only then it will be defeated. This disease affects the majority of the world’s population in one form or another.
Good quotes from this film about insomnia:
A terrible time of night is too late for yesterday, too early for today.
It's very lonely during insomnia. It seems like there is no soul on this fucking planet.
In this film, there is a good phrase-cause of this ailment, said by Ellie Byrne performed by Hilary Swank, police Will Dormer performed by Al Pacino, that "insomnia is a consequence of resonance with your conscience" (the meaning is this). But the problems with his conscience are the main problems of the main characters: policeman Will Dormer and suspect Walter Finch. Insomnia is the punishment of human nature for their actions, thoughts, feelings, attitudes to certain things.
Of course, “problems” with conscience are not the only cause of insomnia. It can also be the presence of the "A" syndrome or hyperresponsibility, which is fully possessed by police officer Will Dormer (importance in small things). As he taught his partner, Ellie Byrne, “little things are important” or “don’t discount the little things, never study them.”
To present to the viewer this state of constant insomnia fell on the shoulders of the talented Al Pacino, and he conveyed this state in his but true interpretation. It can come in different forms for everyone.
The chase of policeman Will Dormer after the alleged criminal in the fog symbolizes the search for answers to questions in your subconscious, since the fog is the subconscious part of the brain. And it is here that the main crimes take place: against oneself, against others, it is here that all human tasks are solved. Therefore, this scene is very symbolic for the film, and thanks to it, we understand that all the action of the picture, in its essence, takes place in the subconscious of specific people - in their fog.
This film also raised to the public court the issue of compliance by the police with the subtle boundary of the legality of collecting evidence to bring charges against the suspect, so that the criminal case in the future did not “collapse” in court on formal grounds. This is where Her Majesty Conscience comes into play.
9 out of 10
The little thing is important, you know, petty deception or blunders, pro-van-deviators betray themselves, just like murderers, in this people are all the same.
Pretty good thriller with interesting ideas, which, what to say, is so sweet that bees fly to it, and who is not interested in a brilliant detective and a smart killer, one of whom will be in the same situation as the second? That is why the directors, screenwriters did not turn their favorite trick, deciding to move away from the plot production, where an intelligent detective catches an equally difficult in all respects killer with some perfect ideas, was neglected here.
The film, purely for you, will reveal the little truth that every little thing is very important. Something missed, everything, and on that card, skillfully built house, collapses.
To the minuses, to the aftertaste, I wanted to include a blurred ending, which, in my opinion, then spoiled everything, but after thinking, moving away from the emotions that overwhelm me, I realized that, roughly speaking, the path to redemption would be this. And even now I think that if it ended trivially, as in many second-rate films, it would completely ruin the idea.
Therefore, lucky people who are only going to watch, do not rush to conclusions, better think, and if this is the best ending.
Experienced detective Will Dormer (Al Pacino) arrives with a partner in Alaska to investigate the murder of a young girl.
He begins to conduct his investigation professionally. At the beginning of the film from him comes a calm, even phlegmatic self-confidence, which arose perhaps from a great experience - thirty years of work.
However, Dormer’s partner soon dies. And only two know the true cause of his death, including Dormer himself.
Then the most unforeseen trouble begins to occur with Dormer, against which neither his experience, nor knowledge, nor self-confidence is able to cope.
The external cause of insomnia is the white nights season that began in Alaska, when there is no darkness at night. However, this is only the tip of the iceberg.
Insomnia often has an internal psychological cause. There is something else that deprives you of sleep - inner experiences, pangs of conscience, psychological suffering. And this is the case of Dormer.
The past is not as smooth as we would like.
And the hero of a strong, resilient, with a huge internal energy Al Pacino, who embodied all this in the images of Michael Carleone (the trilogy “The Godfather”), Tony Montana ("Scarface) in this film “Insomnia” turns out to be vulnerable, exhausted by internal disharmony, the result of which is insomnia.
“But insomnia is nonsense,” says one who has never experienced this condition, has not faced it.
Total insomnia, when it is impossible to sleep completely all night - a terrible thing. Will Dormer is faced with this form of insomnia – he can not fall asleep a single second in a long dark and endless night, like the universe. Al Pacino absolutely played, conveyed all the state that a person experiences when it is half-fifth of the morning, tomorrow from early morning full-time, and a person did not fall asleep for a second! All night lying on the bed, unable to find harmony. Al Pacino played exactly what a person should feel the next day, when he should be asleep, full of strength and energy, and what happens to him - fatigue, lethargy, look. That's right. And no one can understand him, that endless loneliness, that dark sleepless night with a thousand thoughts. Nobody? No, that's not true.
There's a man in this town who can't sleep at night either. This is the second one who knows the true cause of the death of Dormer’s partner, the one who knows all about Dormer’s not cloudless past, the only one who managed to understand the depths of Dormer so much that he allowed himself to blackmail the detective.
Who is the second one who does not sleep for several nights in a row? A person who understands that during insomnia, a person really needs an interlocutor.
The film subtly, psychologically conveys the whole essence of those who suffer from insomnia, those for whom one of the main questions in life becomes: “Can he fall asleep today?”, those for whom the most important desire in life is formulated in the words of the same Al Pacino in the image of Dormer in the finale of the film: “I want to sleep.”
10 out of 10
The next Christopher Nolan movie is finished. After Interstellar, it was unusual to watch, but I did not reduce my observation. And there was something to watch, especially for the personality of the main character Will - his character, behavior, attention.
I am not a fan of thrillers with dark music and the presence of murdered people in the process. But curiosity about Nolan's work has led to a new look at such films. “Insomnia” is a film about how far an extremely determined and confident person can go. About how deftly you can manage people who are less observant, less determined, less armed with the right information than you.
Despite the deception of Will of his colleagues, the main character aroused my high sympathy. Will is fearless and that confidently communicates with everyone and sees through. He is insanely attentive, notices every detail and reveals the case, as if slowly collecting a fascinating puzzle. He speaks only in business, is flexible in thinking and has advanced leadership qualities, which helps him successfully move towards his goal.
Deep down, I was sure that Will would get the job done, deal with Walter, and get some sleep. But this is the whole Christopher Nolan is a real master of the unexpected finals of his paintings, for which he bows low.
8 out of 10
Worth watching and modeling at least a few of Will's qualities to become a little better than he was before watching the movie.
In the already considerable list of works by Christopher Nolan “Insomnia”, perhaps the least known. And that, in my opinion, is strange, because the film is, without exaggeration, outstanding. Yes, there are no games with reality or deception of the viewer, but we have a very interesting and a little sad detective story with great actors.
In the center of the plot is a criminal who committed a murder by negligence and a policeman who accidentally shot his partner. Both are tormented by guilt, which caused them to lose sleep. Actually, the whole plot and drama revolves around these two characters, constantly supplying us with new interesting details and approaching the tragic outcome.
Naturally, in "Insomnia" you feel the hand of the master - Nolan, as always, shoots just amazingly. Excellent directing, spectacular camera angles, beautiful scenery - everything is done in the highest class.
Separately, I would like to note the acting of Robin Williams and Al Pacino. Both of them performed very well.
Christopher Nolan is the best director of our time, in my opinion. He has not had a single failed film, despite the fact that he shoots in completely different genres. "Insomnia" was no exception - before us a film that is worth watching for everyone.
8 out of 10
And he's still being modest, I mean. I wonder if he was sleeping at all. Another thing that is not very convincing, from my point of view, explains what is the cause / causes of insomnia made in the title of the film. And most importantly, it is hard to believe that there is no salvation from the “white nights”. I think there would be a desire.
Yes, A. Pacino is a great slap with gummy eyes, and the saggy jaw of his hero best gives us an idea of what “borderline” (between sleep and reality) state he is most of the time, but he is not. It doesn’t look natural, that’s the problem!
However, my main complaint is not this. I categorically did not like the combination of two dialogues: the main character and his partner - almost at the beginning of the film - and his, but with the hostess of the hotel - closer to the final. In my opinion, too little is said in the first, as a result of which it can easily be missed by the ears and then sincerely perplexed, trying to figure out what, in fact, is the fuss. In the second, on the contrary, the cards are laid out on the table, such a feeling, in a double copy - as if for greater persuasiveness. I wonder if it’s too late, isn’t it? Again, what are these shocking details? Do they change anything?
And here is another thing: the second dialogue in a sense is the starting point for the denouement. It is very specific and quite rapid. And it turns out that the process has already started, and you are still sitting and trying to connect in your mind just heard with a completely seemingly passing episode of an hour and a half ago. Who does that?
But! Still, something in this film, with its controversial directing, ambiguous casting (I am about R. Williams, first of all) and frankly rigged in terms of aggravating (and already difficult situation) the plot is. I think maybe I was so attracted to the idea that the most reliable of all the existing methods (read, “everyone killed everyone”) in the end, after all, did justice prevail? How else would you explain it? I don't even know.
I even wanted to put a score higher, but then I thought it would probably be more emotional. Started writing and... Right. They are. In fact, from the strength of
Incredibly beautiful film. A two-hour measured meditation among the breathtaking northern landscapes - the endless green velvet of fluffy forests, the crystal clearness of the lakes that fill with a feeling of freshness and exuding the inner glow of glaciers. It is difficult to say with certainty what exactly was intended, but the film turned out to be about how a person packed with a load of experiences and memories came to a special place that will play a role in his fate. Everything else, outsider, no matter how significant it may seem, is just vanity. The whole picture provokes inexplicable attention from the viewer (almost reaching to tension), slowly stretching his plot through the painfully slow rejection of the main character of the surrounding nature, through how he, once in this peaceful and quiet region, can not find peace - his throwing, fatigue and irritation are opposed to what surrounds him (and the director and operator give the viewer every opportunity to appreciate this environment in all its glory, almost savoring these cold northern landscapes).
In general, one of those films that seems especially correct to call a picture. There are characters, there is plot and plan. And all this was done at a fairly high level. But at the same time, all of the above is perceived as a secondary, serving element, something that rather emphasizes the work and frames it. In the end, you are watching the work itself. Like a painting. Complete creation for visual, sensory cognition.
"Insomnia" is a worthy work of Nolan, in which, as in most of his works, he was able to convey a deep atmosphere that absorbs the viewer from the first frames.
The plot of the film, along with its presentation, is surprisingly simple. Thriller with the inner conflict of the protagonist (or villain?), shows us a simple story about detectives with baggage of experience who were sent to share this luggage in Alaska. A number of incidents lead the protagonist to sleep loss and, as a result, the deterioration of his mental state. Nolan manages to make the viewer empathize, lost a piece of himself in the fog, the controversial image of Al Pacino. The director does not give the viewer time to think about the dark sides of the main character, introducing the antagonist into the picture. But is the antagonist, played by Robin Williams, really the opposite of the protagonist or are they two sides of the same coin? The answer to this question Nolan leaves to contemplate the picture.
The atmosphere of the film is both viscous and light. The picture keeps you under the weight of the state of the main character. But, unlike "The Machinist", "Insomnia" does not press with dark scenes and a spirit of despair. The eternal day of Alaska dilutes the dark palette. The thriller manages to convey the atmosphere and take the viewer into her arms without causing depressive associations. So it's safe to say- "Insomnia" is an easy thriller on its serve. A thriller that won’t make you gloomy for the rest of the day.
Al Pacino in this picture is worth special attention. He showed exactly what the painting required. He conveyed the character's moral weight and his ever-increasing pressure. His eyes played for him.
The ambiguity of the main character makes the film a subject for controversy, but the picture undoubtedly came out worth the time spent. Everyone will remain with his opinion after viewing and clearly correct point of view on the actions of the protagonist is obvious.
The end justifies the means, right?