Christopher Nolan (“Batman Begins”, “The Prestige”) directs “Insomnia”, a remake of a 1997 Norwegian film of the same name. I have not seen the original movie but I can tell you that “Insomnia” is a very chilling thriller. Parts of it are very disturbing and the main performances are very effective. It’s so much better than “Se7en” and “The Bone Collector” so it deserves more credit.

Will Dormer (Al Pacino “Scarface”, “Dick Tracy”) is a respected cop from L.A., who is sent to a small town in Alaska to investigate a murder. Things get increasingly complicated when the suspect (Robin Williams “Jumanji”, “Aladdin”) witnesses Dormer shoot his own partner. Dormer is also struggling to cope with sleep depravation due to the 24hour light cycle.

Al Pacino does a great job as Will Dormer. Robin Williams is also great as Walter Finch. The interactions between the two are fascinating as the lines between good and evil become blurred. The conversation they have about the effects of the light cycle is terrific. Hilary Swank (“The Next Karate Kid”, “Boys Don’t Cry”) is a little underwhelming as Ellie Burr, a young Alaskan police officer that idolises Dormer. The other characters are a little disappointing as well.

“Insomnia” is not one of the absolute best films from Christopher Nolan but I really enjoyed it and I think that is sadly quite overlooked. The score is harrowing, the plot has some intriguing twists and turns, the stuff about the mental effects of the light cycle is excellent and the performances from Pacino and Williams are very enjoyable. This is an intelligent cop thriller that knows that it does not have to show us every gory detail to be disturbing. Films such as “Se7en”, “Manhunter”, “The Bone Collector”, “Hannibal” and “Saw” like to show us all the blood and guts but “Insomnia” has an intelligent script so it does not need all the graphic imagery.