What's the big deal?

Rating: 6/10 (3 June 2002)

An LAPD cop (Al Pacino) and his partner (Martin Donovan), are sent to Alaska to help solve the murder of a 17 year old girl. They're helped by a young, eager policewoman (Hilary Swank). Problem is that Pacino can't sleep, things start going horribly wrong and the killer is playing games with Pacino's mind.
Sounds a lot better than it actually is. The movies is very quiet and punishingly slow at times. There are twists in the story but they're presented so casually that they have no effect at all. The direction is annoying (especially during a junkyard sequence) but there is some stunning cinematography (Alaska is gorgeous). Also, the story has been done before (and better).
The performances help somewhat. Pacino is great (as always). He really anchors the film. Swank is just wonderful but criminally underused.
**SPOILER--KILLER'S IDENTITY REVEALED**
It's not really a spoiler--everybody knows Robin Williams plays it--and he's just dreadful. For starters, he doesn't show up until the movie is half over and he's so wooden and stiff. He (unwisely) underplays the role. It doesn't work.
Why is this movie being so heavily praised? Yes, Pacino is great and the director's last movie was "Memento", but that shouldn't automatically make this a great movie. Very OK--highly overrated.