Makes you want to go to sleep

Rating: Null/10 (6 May 2003)

This is not the best film to watch if you're interested in seeing Al Pacino combat some lethal killers who also have a soft spot- if you want that type of movie, see "Heat" which is a rare, touching action film that moves you with its seriousness and realistic storyline. It also does not sterotype killers such as being sociopaths or sick murderers who are after all of it for the blood and money.
But we're here to talk about a different movie. Insomnia, in one word, is interesting. The plot is original and I don't need to comment how great the acting is if you just look at the cast list. Hilary Swank even succeeds in annoying us on purpose as a tag along newbie police officer who likes to swoon after cops with big guns who catch the killers.
The whole movie is disoriented. If any one of you knows what it's like to have insomnia, you will very much appreciate the special effects. It really is amazing how well it depicts what happens to a person when they can't sleep- people's voices run into each other, your sight changes as colors seem to get muddled and dark, the light hurts your eyes, and you're so tired that walking up a flight of stairs is like torture. When in the film Al Pacino has to run around chasing a corrupted killer who subtley gets off on controlling him and being looked at as the victim, you feel his distress. And as the movie goes on, you feel his need to go to sleep.
Insomnia isn't just about this little story here in Alaska with a tormented cop, killer, and several other unimportant characters that seem to live in a twisted and claustrophobic world. The bigger star here is insomnia. Watch it for the special effects- and if you don't like the plot or the characters, then it will save the movie for you. Then you can go to sleep not feeling like you just wasted your money on a cheap thriller.
7/10.