Insomnia Review
by Homer Yen (homer_yen AT yahoo DOT com)June 5th, 2002
"Insomnia" – Worth Staying Up
by Homer Yen
(c) 2002
"Insomnia" is much more than just slick police work and people that make things go. It's about the psychology behind the police work. Moreover, it's about the dilemma that is sometimes shouldered by these brave and good-natured men who succumb to questionable tactics because the end may justify the means. From that perspective, it's one of the most unique offerings this year.
The focus is on the veteran and iconic detective Dormer (Al Pacino). When we first meet him, we see that he is weathered and tired. What is causing his restless state? Perhaps it's the fact that he has been sent to the nether regions of Alaska to investigate the brutal killing of a local teenager. But maybe not, as one denizen points out. There are only two reasons why people come to Alaska. Either they are born there or they've come there to escape something.
Indeed, we learn that Internal Affairs is launching an investigation into Dormer's police work. This considerably troubles Dormer. To make matters worse, his partner Hap (Martin Donovan), who has accompanied Dormer to Alaska, confesses that he will cut a deal with Internal Affairs. This would jeopardize Dormer's career and reputation. In the meantime, it's business as usual, and the detectives are aided by an energized Detective named Ellie (Hillary Swank) who has revered Dormer's casework.
There is a pivotal event that occurs about 40 minutes into the film involving a botched stakeout and a subsequent chase through a dense fog where the suspect and the police posse appear as indistinct faces. What ultimately happens adds an extra layer of complexity and weight to Dormer's burden. In his own wily way, he knows just how to take care of that situation. But we see that his approach is more than questionable. Internal Affairs is suspicious, Ellie develops doubt, and even Dormer can barely keep up with the pace of all that is going on. He hasn't slept for days, his reflexes are slowing and his instincts have become clouded. Ellie suggests that "a good cop can't sleep because he's on the case; a bad cop can't sleep because he has something to hide." And so the movie begs the question: which one is he?
"Insomnia" is a character study as much as it is a detective story. But the emphasis is on character. Pacino is a true joy to watch, who turns in an Oscar-worthy performance. He does all the little things right, and makes every scene count as if sleep depended on it. Among his best scenes is his charged pep talk to inject some common sense into the victim's friend, his interrogation of possible murder suspects, and his train of thinking as he starts off the investigation. Also impressive was the way the film did not allow him to sleep, which represented the increasingly impossible situation that is engulfing him. A collapse may be imminent. Robin Williams, who plays one of the murder suspects, also turns in a confident and even mellifluous performance. He's quietly intimidating. Hillary Swank also has a strong turn as a sycophantic admirer who grows up.
"Insomnia" is atmospherically gloomy yet stylish. It gives us characters we want to follow and a story that will keep our attention even in the wee hours of the morning. It may be the best of this genre since the 1995 police/action/drama "Heat."
Grade: B+
S: 0 out of 3
L: 3 out of 3
V: 2 out of 3
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