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unity768
08-01-2008, 12:36 AM
Insomnia

http://www.cinemapassion.com/affiches/insomnia.jpg

Al Pacino stars as Detective Will Dormer in the powerful psychological thriller, Insomnia. Director Christoper Nolan (Memento) shows he wasn't just a one hit wonder, and that he's here to stay as one of the best filmmakers of today with his brilliant direction and landscape shots.

The plot in Insomnia might feel familiar. Detective Dormer and his partner (Martin Donovan) fly to Alaska to solve a murder case involving a teenage girl beaten to death. While trying to apprehend the suspect (Robin Williams) a tragic accident occurs creating a tricky triangle puzzle between Pacino, Williams, and rookie cop Hilary Swank.

Al Pacino gives one of the best performances of his career as Detective Dormer. He makes the audience feel his frustration merely by the way he interacts with the other characters. Little by little you see the effects that this character is going through. Whether it's guilt, the insomnia, or both, Pacino makes you beleive this character has gone to hell and back through his top caliber performance. Robin Williams is very solid as the killer. For a while I forgot I was watching a comedian on screen, and looking at a psycho who feels he's misunderstood. Hilary Swank continues to shine as the determined rookie cop, demanding to get to the bottom of this incredible mess.

Christoper Nolan does an excellent job of creating a creepy atmosphere with his camera work. He gives us numerous chilling shots of the accident, each executed perfectly to flesh out Detective Dormers emotion of guilt. The Alaskan landscape shots are also a sight to see.

The conclusion is above satisfactory, tieing all the loose ends up very smoothly. Insomnia can be best described as a character study of Detective William Dormer, showing us what kind of morals he's willing to break and just how far hes willing to bend the rules.

8/10

JustinW
08-01-2008, 12:45 AM
The original was a lot better. But this one was pretty good, too. They kept the atmosphere pretty spot on with the original -- although, I believe the original ending was much more powerful.

Pretty good remake though.

7/10

FranklinTard
08-01-2008, 12:48 AM
robin williams is not a serious actor. i don't care what 'evidence' you have, he is not a serious actor.

unity768
08-01-2008, 12:52 AM
you thought Williams wasn't convincing in this? c'mon

MasterChief117
08-01-2008, 12:53 AM
Never seen it but I will have to see it now reading a synopsis on it.

Andrey83
08-01-2008, 05:15 AM
The original was a lot better. But this one was pretty good, too. They kept the atmosphere pretty spot on with the original -- although, I believe the original ending was much more powerful.

Pretty good remake though.

7/10

I agree that the original was better. Although being from the country where it was made, I am probably biased as hell.

JustinW
08-01-2008, 10:43 AM
I think you are correct though. The actors were a lot better, plus its always a little distracting picking out all of these popular actors. The ending of the original, as I've stated, was amazing and incredibly well done.

Not that the remake is a bad film by any means, just pales in comparison. By the way, does the director of the original have any other films, Andrey?

Andrey83
08-01-2008, 08:06 PM
Well, the only other movie I have seen from him is "En Folkefiende" ("an enemy of the people" is a decent translation) which is based (keyword, based. Its far from a straight adaption) on a script from one of the greatest norwegian writers of all time, Henrik Ibsen. But really, the movie doesnt do Ibsen justice at all. It is good, but it isnt spectacular as it should be.

Also, I'm kinda sick of seeing Pia Tjelta (think Kiera Knightley. You see her everywhere) and I dont think she fit her part at all. Of cource, for you she would be unkown.

Its far from Insomnia though. I might be a bit harsh on it, as I have great respect for Ibsens work. The directors' style is still present so you could give it a try. But imo, it isnt as good as Insomnia.