I Couldn't Sleep After This One

Rating: 9/10 (3 June 2002)

This is a riveting, un-nerving, atmospheric psychological crime drama with 3 Academy-Award winners in the leads. They can count on three more nominations early next year from the Academy. Al Pacino is superlative as a detective arriving from Los Angeles to help a murder investigation in a desolate town of Alaska. Pacino's character has many hidden secrets, which would account for his haggard appearance, which worsens after a ghastly accident. Robin Williams is exceptional as a suspect, wisely underplaying the loner role, instead of resorting to over-the-top cliches. And Hillary Swank is ideal as a rookie detective. The Alaskan scenery is a character within itself, alternately beautiful and unsettling. A chase scene over floating logs will leave you breathless; supporting cast is excellent. While the ending may be a bit "Hollywood-ish", it hardly detracts from this mesmerizing, thought-provoking near-classic.