A Trickster Review : Insomnia

The Trickster · 09-24-2002, 01:34 AM

Insomnia is the latest film starring Al Pacino, Robin Williams and Hilary Swank. I must admit, that I went into the theatre not really expecting to like the film. It tells the story of a policeman (Pacino) who is trying to track down a killer (Williams) in a small town where the sun never goes down in summer. When Pacino’s character makes a horrible mistake, the killer is at the scene and witnesses the event. Without giving too much away, I will say that what occurs after this event is both fascinating and quite unique to any film that I’ve ever seen. This movie handles moral dilemmas all the way through, making it a riveting and intelligent experience.

The film is very bleak, and has a dark undertone (in the same way that Seven did) throughout, never giving the audience much hope for a happy outcome. The acting is first class, and I will not be surprised to see both best actor and best supporting actress nominations come out of this film. I also think that casting Robin Williams as the murderer was a touch of genius, as it is very unsettling and to see him in this role, and it avoids stereotypes.

Insomnia is one of the more satisfying film experiences I’ve had this year. 8.5 out of 10.

Barry the Sprout · 09-24-2002, 10:19 AM

I also thought this film was excellent, even if it did go over slightly worn ground (with the ambiguity of Dormer being a maverick good cop or simply a bad cop). The good thing about it, like Nolan's other awesome film - Memento, is that there are no identifiably good characters involved. Also the constant parrallels being drawn between Finch and Dormer are very well done, as Finch says: "We both share a secret, we both know how easy it is to kill somebody." (by which he means how easy it is to perform the act, not how easy it is to get away with it). I whole-heartedly agree with the Trickster and strongly recommend it.

Megabot · 09-24-2002, 02:36 PM

Sound`s like a great film Trickster [img]tongue.gif[/img] i will see asap!

Calaethis Dragonsbane · 09-24-2002, 05:19 PM

hmm... was OK I guess, didnt like it that much... to be honest, I didnt see it as anything special... altho, I still think he done it on purpose [img]tongue.gif[/img] I'm not gonna say who [img]tongue.gif[/img] hehe. hmm, 6 outa 10?

The Trickster · 09-24-2002, 06:59 PM

Hi CD!!!! Long time no speak!

We must catch up soon.

The Trickster (formerly known as Aviendha)

T/-/alali · 09-25-2002, 06:37 PM

I think 'mgonna go see it.

AzRaeL StoRmBlaDe · 10-02-2002, 08:08 PM

I thought this film was both well done, and unique, and included both good acting, as well as some really good writing. I also would give this movie a 8.5 out of 10, mostly just due to the believability of Hillary Swank's character. Though she acted the role very well, i felt her dead on assumptions were a little too convient and just kind of pushed the plot along instead of letting it develope.

09-24-2002, 01:34 AM	#1
The Trickster Manshoon Join Date: September 24, 2002 Location: Australia Age: 46 Posts: 208	Insomnia is the latest film starring Al Pacino, Robin Williams and Hilary Swank. I must admit, that I went into the theatre not really expecting to like the film. It tells the story of a policeman (Pacino) who is trying to track down a killer (Williams) in a small town where the sun never goes down in summer. When Pacino’s character makes a horrible mistake, the killer is at the scene and witnesses the event. Without giving too much away, I will say that what occurs after this event is both fascinating and quite unique to any film that I’ve ever seen. This movie handles moral dilemmas all the way through, making it a riveting and intelligent experience. The film is very bleak, and has a dark undertone (in the same way that Seven did) throughout, never giving the audience much hope for a happy outcome. The acting is first class, and I will not be surprised to see both best actor and best supporting actress nominations come out of this film. I also think that casting Robin Williams as the murderer was a touch of genius, as it is very unsettling and to see him in this role, and it avoids stereotypes. Insomnia is one of the more satisfying film experiences I’ve had this year. 8.5 out of 10. __________________ <br /><br />Movie Reviewer for Ironworks Gaming<br />Hero of Icewind Dale and alias to The Nameless One, Gordon Freeman, Garrett, Elayna Sedai, Cate Archer, Child of Bhaal, J.C Denton and Patrick Galloway.<br />Leader in the war against commercial music.

09-24-2002, 10:19 AM	#2
Barry the Sprout White Dragon Join Date: October 19, 2001 Location: York, UK. Age: 41 Posts: 1,815	I also thought this film was excellent, even if it did go over slightly worn ground (with the ambiguity of Dormer being a maverick good cop or simply a bad cop). The good thing about it, like Nolan's other awesome film - Memento, is that there are no identifiably good characters involved. Also the constant parrallels being drawn between Finch and Dormer are very well done, as Finch says: "We both share a secret, we both know how easy it is to kill somebody." (by which he means how easy it is to perform the act, not how easy it is to get away with it). I whole-heartedly agree with the Trickster and strongly recommend it. __________________ [img]\"http://img1.ranchoweb.com/images/sproutman/certwist.gif\" alt=\" - \" /><br /><br /><i>\"And the angels all pallid and wan,<br />Uprising, unveiling, affirm,<br />That the play is the tragedy, man,<br />And its hero the Conquerer Worm.\"</i><br /> - Edgar Allan Poe

09-24-2002, 05:19 PM	#4
Calaethis Dragonsbane Legion Symbol Join Date: May 29, 2002 Location: Somewhere in between Age: 39 Posts: 7,029	hmm... was OK I guess, didnt like it that much... to be honest, I didnt see it as anything special... altho, I still think he done it on purpose [img]tongue.gif[/img] I'm not gonna say who [img]tongue.gif[/img] hehe. hmm, 6 outa 10? __________________ Skydracgrrl: Cruelty, thy name is Cal! --- There are none so blind as those who refuse to see, none so deaf as those who refuse to hear, and none so smelly as those who refuse to bathe.

09-24-2002, 06:59 PM	#5
The Trickster Manshoon Join Date: September 24, 2002 Location: Australia Age: 46 Posts: 208	Hi CD!!!! Long time no speak! We must catch up soon. The Trickster (formerly known as Aviendha) __________________ <br /><br />Movie Reviewer for Ironworks Gaming<br />Hero of Icewind Dale and alias to The Nameless One, Gordon Freeman, Garrett, Elayna Sedai, Cate Archer, Child of Bhaal, J.C Denton and Patrick Galloway.<br />Leader in the war against commercial music.

09-25-2002, 06:37 PM	#6
T/-/alali Baaz Draconian Join Date: September 8, 2002 Location: Cornelius,NC Age: 36 Posts: 700	I think 'mgonna go see it. __________________ I am the Ferret king, master of the hordes, allied to Someguy\'s mighty pinguins, we will soon rule the world!

09-24-2002, 02:36 PM	#3
Megabot Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice Join Date: October 18, 2003 Location: Oslo, Norway. Age: 61 Posts: 3,360	Sound`s like a great film Trickster [img]tongue.gif[/img] i will see asap!

10-02-2002, 08:08 PM	#7
AzRaeL StoRmBlaDe Hathor Join Date: October 11, 2001 Location: At My Computer Age: 43 Posts: 2,217	I thought this film was both well done, and unique, and included both good acting, as well as some really good writing. I also would give this movie a 8.5 out of 10, mostly just due to the believability of Hillary Swank's character. Though she acted the role very well, i felt her dead on assumptions were a little too convient and just kind of pushed the plot along instead of letting it develope. __________________ Now the swinging bridge<br />Is quieted with creepers. . . <br />Like our tendrilled life. -Basho

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