neumu [ cinematronic ]




	Insomnia
	Christopher Nolan Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Hilary Swank, Martin Donovan, Maura Tierney, Paul Dooley 2002		Director Christopher Nolan's absorbing remake of 1997's "Insomnia," a fine psychological thriller from Norway, is powered by persuasive business from three Oscar-winning actors: Al Pacino's quietly modulated work as Will Dormer, an L.A. super-cop under pressure, pursuing a killer in an Alaskan town; Robin Williams' discomforting change of pace as a duplicitous mystery author and suspect; and Hilary Swank's subtle job as the local detective assigned to help Dormer and his partner (Martin Donovan) crack the case. Key to the new version's dynamism is Nolan's skill at unfurling an esoteric plot in an unlikely circumstance. His previous film, "Memento," featured a man who has short-term amnesia and is trying to apprehend his wife's killer. "Memento" is more unconventional than "Insomnia," but each movie's anti-hero is hampered by cognitive dysfunction. Dormer must solve a homicide while suffering from sleep deprivation under the midnight sun. Worse, the murderer knows Dormer's dark secrets.