Monkey-Plex Review: FILM: Insomnia

FILM: Insomnia 4 monkeys

Is there anybody in the entire whole wide world better than Al Pacino at playing an L.A. cop who's mixed up in some slightly shady dealings? World-weary and sleepless, Pacino is in full mastery of his craft here, in director Christopher Nolan's follow-up to one of my favorite 2001 movies, Memento. But it's not just Al who amazes. Hilary Swank? An Oscar-winner in her own right, and she proves in this movie that there really are no small roles, just small actors. She takes a glorified bit part, and brings it sparkling to three-dimensional life. (As does a personal favorite of mine, the super-engaging Maura Tierney. Her part is even smaller, but she's great.) And Oscar-winner Robin Williams? You might think he's in a lot more of this movie than he actually is, based on the ad campaign. Don't let that fool you. "Serious Robin" is used in just the right amount here, with his scenes skewed heavily toward the chilling and increasingly tense second half of this damn fine film. (It would not be inappropriate to compare Insomnia with David Lynch's Twin Peaks series pilot, only this one is played straight, not for quirky Lynchian laughs.)
It's been said by many that as good as this film is, the original 1997 Norweigian version featuring Stellan Skarsgård is even better. Remind me in six months to go check that one out. In the meantime, behold the glory of Pacino! Worship the Pacino!!

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