Search - Insomnia [Widescreen] on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Brief Nudity, Adult Language Movie Release: 2002 DVD Release: 10/15/2002 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Edition: Dual Layered Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 58 mins Studio: Warner Home Video Total Copies: 46 Genres: Thriller, Post-Noir (Modern Noir), Psychological Thriller, Police Detective Film See Also: Insomnia [Fullscreen]

Director Christopher Nolan follows up his breakthrough sophomore film Memento with this remake of a stylish Norwegian thriller. Al Pacino stars as Detective Will Dormer, a Los Angeles Police Department legend who temporarily escapes an internal affairs investigation that may ruin his career by traveling to Nightmute, AK, the remote site of a murder that has the local authorities flummoxed. Along with his partner, Hap Eckhart (Martin Donovan), and the small town's wide-eyed rookie investigator, Ellie Burr (Hilary Swank), the exhausted Dormer probes the brutal slaying of a teenage girl who was rumored to have a secret lover. A clever ruse quickly lures the killer into a police trap, but the suspect escapes and a tragic accident at the scene leaves Dormer at the mercy of the murderer, a pulp crime novelist named Walter Finch (Robin Williams). As Finch plays a dangerous game of extortion with Dormer, the detective's mental health deteriorates rapidly from guilt over his complicity in a crime and sleep deprivation compounded by the lack of darkness in the land of the midnight sun. Meanwhile, the bright and dogged Ellie continues putting the pieces of a complex puzzle together despite Dormer's skillful attempts to lead the investigation toward the right suspect, but away from his own malfeasance. Insomnia co-stars Paul Dooley, Nicky Katt, Maura Tierney, and Jonathan Jackson. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

Al Pacino - Det. Will Dormer
Robin Williams - Walter Finch
Hilary Swank - Ellie Burr
Maura Tierney - Rachel Clement
Martin Donovan - Hap Eckhart

Christopher Nolan's Insomnia, a remake that equals the original and shows that his Memento wasn't a fluke, comes from Warner and the results are as good as they get. To begin with, the image, framed at 2.35:1 and anamorphic, is exceptional in every way. Colors are balanced perfectly, while darker scenes never show any signs of breakdown. The Alaskan scenery is reproduced in such a way to give it an almost three-dimensional feel, with exceptional detail. The transfer really stands out. The sound, with both 5.1 tracks in English and French, is equally impressive: Surrounds are well used at the right time and never obtrusive; dialogue is crisp and clear, and easy to understand. As for supplements, this may not be a full-fledged special edition, but it does have some nice features. Included are two commentaries, but they aren't your average tracks. The first, with Nolan, is in the order of actual filming, meaning the film is completely out of order. While it's a bit odd and unsettling, the fact that this hasn't been done before is very unique. The other track, with actress Hilary Swank, screenwriter Hillary Seitz, editor Dody Dorn, cinematographer Wally Pfister, and production designer Nathan Crowley is scene specific, but only covers certain scenes. In addition, this disc includes some short featurettes, one with interviews from the main cast, a segment on actual insomniacs, an interview with Al Pacino and Nolan, and a two-part section of basically the same behind-the-scene footage, with commentary from Pfister or Crowley. Finally, along with the theatrical trailer, is a short section of publicity and behind-the-scenes photographs and an additional scene with Nolan's commentary. This is a nice package with some real surprising content that is sure to please. ~ Trent Fordham, All Movie Guide