INSOMNIA (2002)
Released: May 24, ,2002
Sent from Los Angeles to investigate the murder of a teenage girl in a small Alaska town called Nightmute, a police detective (Al Pacino) accidentally shoots his own partner while trying to apprehend a suspect. Instead of admitting his guilt, the detective is given an unexpected alibi, but this "solution" only multiplies the emotional complexity and guilt over his partner's death. He's also still got a murder to solve and there's also a local detective (Hilary Swank) who is conducting her own personal investigation... of his partner's death. The lead suspect is a writer played by Robin Williams. Beautiful scenery and impressive acting from all three leads makes for a fine followup to director Christopher Nolan's groundbreaking "Memento". It may be a much more commercial Hollywood venture when compared to "Memento" but Nolan's touch assures us that the trip will be intelligent and insightful. Pacino gives one of his better performances as the weary and tired investigator under fire at home with an internal investigation on his own actions who now has to solve a murder in Alaska. Having to deal with the fact he accidentally shot his partner in a shroud of deep fog just makes his situation more dire - and Robin Williams' character is the only one who knows the truth. An odd alliance is struck between Pacino and Williams at the same time as rookie cop Hilary Swank is digging away to find the truth of what has happened. It's a smart movie remake that actually improves upon the original Norway movie shot in 1997 and starring Williams' "Good Will Hunting" co-star Stellan Skarsgård. The sun never sets in Nightmute, Alaksa and when it never gets dark it definitely lessens your places to hide.
Warner Bros.
118 Minutes