Insomnia (2002)

User Review

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  Barneyonmovies

  9 / 10

  WHAT I LIKED: 'Insomnia' is yet another gut-punching thriller from Christopher Nolan, but it also serves to show that it's not just narrative structure that makes this director such a successful master of tension. Yes unlike in 'Following,' or 'Memento,' here there's just a simple mystery story that unravels slowly and horribly to fill you with a growing sense of dread over anticipation, but that doesn't mean it loses any of his previous films' brilliance. In fact I would argue it makes for a more engaging experience as we're able to go through the plot with our character which increases the investment you can unlock. Of course that's also hugely helped by a great performance from Al Pacino, but it is also thanks to Nolan's sublime direction and Wally Pfister's amazingly haunting cinematography.
  WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: Maybe it doesn't quite pack the big impression that 'Memento,' left with its risks and themes, but what it loses there it more than makes up for in genuine grit and intrigue.
  VERDICT: A more textbook thriller from Nolan; 'Insomnia' is a thoroughly exciting, engaging and edge-of-your-seat piece of filmmaking that ranks right up there with his best.

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