will nolan be shunned come oscar time again?

Rating: 8/10 (24 May 2002)

christopher nolan may not have matched the intensity and mind-bending storyline of memento, but insomnia is not only a worthy follow up, it may in fact be one of the best reasons to be in a theater this year.
Insomnia stars al "I can act circles around most people but i'll downplay my awesomeness" Pacino as will Dormer, a decorated l.a. detective with a penchant for finding the little things. His department is under investigation by internal affairs (with good reason, watch and see)and his partner is about to cut a deal with them. While this is going on, Will and his partner are sent to alaska to investigate a brutal killing of a 17 year old girl. the cops in nightmute know their jobs, but will sees through their by the book exterior and realizes this is his show. hilary swank plays a rookie cop who has followed will's career. I really don't want to give too much away on this, but let's say somebody accidentally dies, Dormer cannot sleep because of the always sunny alaskan summers, and robin williams puts in an oscar-worthy performance as Walter finch, the killer who is revealed very nearly at the beginning (i said that so as not to make it a spoiler).
Al Pacino is always great in his roles, and robin williams does what nobody thought possible in portraying the ultimate coldhearted yet downtrodden and emotionally battered killer with more to lose than he'd ever let be known. hilary Swank sheds any doubt in her abilities as an actress with a standout performance among such high talent. nicky Katt also puts a good one in as a fellow Alaskan officer of the law. But this show belongs to al, as any movie even having a Pacino cameo always does. His perils in trying to sleep will even exhaust the audience, but in the best way possible. A must-see over the summer, for anybody who likes smart movies in the "dumb popcorn flick" summertime.