Friday, May 24, 2002

R

For language, some violence, brief nudity

Crime, Thriller

Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Hilary Swank, Maura Tierney, Martin Donovan, Nicky Katt

Hillary Seitz

Christopher Nolan

Insomnia (2002)

From acclaimed director Christopher Nolan (Memento) comes the story of Will Dormer (AL PACINO), a veteran LAPD detective who travels to a small Alaskan town with his partner Hap (MARTIN DONOVAN) to investigate the disturbing murder of a seventeen year-old girl.

Under the glare of the region's perpetual daylight, Dormer and Hap close in on the primary suspect, reclusive novelist Walter Finch (ROBIN WILLIAMS). During a tense stakeout on a rocky, fog-shrouded beach, Finch slips into the mist and out of Dormer's grasp. As he makes his escape, shots ring out.and Hap is killed.

As he struggles to cope with his sense of responsibility and remorse over his partner's death, Dormer is forced into a psychological game of cat-and-mouse by the brilliantly malevolent Finch. The stakes escalate as Dormer contends with an unproven but perceptive local cop (HILARY SWANK) and becomes increasingly entangled in Finch's web of manipulation.

Unable to find respite from the relentless Midnight Sun or his own distorted judgment, the dangerously sleep-deprived detective finds his stability gravely threatened.