A different kind of thriller (SPOILERS)

Rating: 8/10 (8 June 2002)

I can understand some of the complaints of the movie being boring. It's not one of those action packed thrillers, or who-done-its. What I liked about the movie is how it seemed to me that the lines between good and evil blurred. They blurred more and more as the movie went on, to mimic the clouded state of the insomniac's perception.
I normally get irritated by weird cinematic flashing back and forth, jiggling cameras, etc, but again, I feel this really worked for a movie about a cop who is unraveling from guilt. Just like the jiggly camera worked out for Blair Witch Project, in its appropriateness.
This is not a movie for someone who wants a nice quick fix at the theatre. Yeah, sometimes I want a brainless thriller or comedy, or blockbuster film. But if you want an intelligent, kinda heavy psychological thriller, I think this one is great.
Also, I think Robin Williams was successful in underplaying the role. In fact, I called his role Satanic. It's cunning and convincing evil that sneaks up on you...I almost believed him when he said what he did was an accident. His mild misdemeanor fits in with what Dormer says regarding a guy who has crossed the line and can remain calm (this comment also indicates why Dormer, who recently crossed the line, doesn't think twice about tainting evidence now.)
I think Chris Nolan's work is very tight - in that everything that happens does so for a reason and propels the story forward.
To the one confused person regarding why they went to the boy's house to find the gun...the fact that the gun matched the one that was missing and used to kill the partner...the police "knew" that the person who killed the partner had killed the girl. I did find it a tad awkward there, and also when Dormer knew how to get to the boy's house, like he was some local. I am going to say that probably there was some poor editing on those points.
Anyway, I recommend this film, and give it at least 8 / 10