Best film of 2002 (thus far)

Rating: 9/10 (26 September 2002)

"Insomnia" exceeded all my wildest expectations. It displays visual techniques and common themes similar to "Memento" that show director Nolan is a stone cold auteur with lofty ambitions and talent to spare. Some say he sold out to Hollywood with this, but how can one complain when he brings out the best performance from Pacino in years. Pacino is normally playing himself and all his ticks, but here he actually inhabits a fully fleshed out and complex character and brings him to life. Nolan also brings out an effectively creepy performance from Robin Williams, who is more entertaining here than in "One Hour Photo", but perhaps not as studied. If Nolan keeps "selling out" like this, then hooray for Hollywood...we have our next Hitchcock. This is cat and mouse and psychological rambling at its best and most satisfying. Swank and Maura Tierney (an underused actress of much talent) are also fabulous in their non-showy roles. I can't recommend this film more highly. As of late September 2002, it's the best film of the year.