Insomnia

After the critically acclaimed Following and all-conquering Memento, British director Christopher Nolan returns with this eerie re-make of the much admired and sleep-starved 1997 Norwegian thriller.

Every bit as strong as his two previous outings, not the least remarkable thing about Insomnia is that it actually features the first decent Robin Williams performance since time immemorial. Ally that to Al Pacino at his best, and you’re left with a concoction that certainly provides excellent edge-of-the-seat entertainment.

Set in Alaska, it stars Pacino as a tightly-wound LA detective posted to the remote state to help in a deeply unsettling murder investigation. The perpetual light in the place provided by its 24-hour ‘Midnight Sun’, allied to the horrific details of the murder case, soon wreak havoc on Detective Dormer’s sleep patterns and general well-being. He presses on doggedly with the enquiry, nonetheless, the clues increasingly pointing suspicion’s finger in the direction of weirdo reclusive author Walter Finch (Williams).

Though not original in itself, Insomnia is impressive in every other respect: the ornate storyline, the hypnotic use of flashback and the edgy atmospherics, all combine to create a haunting experience that borders on the disturbing.

While it may not be a masterpiece, Insomnia is one of the finest thrillers of the year.