This is definitely one to catch, folks.

Rating: 9/10 (17 September 2019)

Al Pacino is first-rate as an L.A. homicide detective named Will Dormer, dispatched (along with his partner Hap Eckhart (Martin Donovan)) to Nightmute, Alaska. They're going to assist an old friend, Chief Nyback (Paul Dooley), with a recent homicide up North. But they're also being distanced from controversy back home, as both detectives are currently being hounded by Internal Affairs.
As it happens, figuring out who killed the victim won't be that difficult. ("Insomnia" isn't really trying to be a whodunit.) The problem arises during pursuit of the suspect, Walter Finch (Robin Williams), and Finch starts playing a cat-and-mouse game with the weary veteran Dormer. Dormer is further hampered by the fact that in this locale, the sun doesn't set during this time of the year, and he can't get any sleep.
An "American-izing" of the 1997 Norwegian film of the same name, "Insomnia" is a stunning, extremely well shot (Wally Pfister was the D.P.) police procedural thriller that derives much fascination from the evolving relationship between the detective and the killer. Dormer is *not* squeaky clean, and Finch is not a hardcore criminal; his act of murder was an impulsive crime of passion. That said, Finch does maintain a calm air about himself as he taunts the protagonist.
Pacino and the always excellent Williams work together extremely well; this was from the latter's intriguing stretch during 2002 where he "went dark" with his role choices, having also appeared in the black comedy "Death to Smoochy" and another thriller, "One Hour Photo". They receive very strong support from Dooley, the engaging Hilary Swank (as an eager young cop who reveres Dormer and his career), Donovan, Maura Tierney, Jonathan Jackson, Katharine Isabelle, and Nicky Katt. (Look for Isabelles' "Ginger Snaps" series co-star Emily Perkins in a brief bit.)
Director Christopher Nolan, working from the screenplay by Hillary Seitz, makes this a compelling entertainment that succeeds because it's not quite the typical, conventional cop vs. psycho Hollywood thriller. The attraction of seeing a triple threat of Oscar winners in Pacino, Williams, and Swank is just icing on the cake. Overall, "Insomnia" is a stirring, emotional journey, and comes highly recommended.
Nine out of 10.