Sleepless (2001)

An elderly and retired police detective and a young amateur sleuth team up to find a serial killer whom has resumed a killing spree in Turin, Italy after a 17-year hiatus.

Director:

Dario Argento

Writers:

Dario Argento (screenplay), Franco Ferrini (screenplay)

Stars:

Max von Sydow, Stefano Dionisi, Chiara Caselli

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Max von Sydow	...	Moretti
Stefano Dionisi	...	Giacomo
Chiara Caselli	...	Gloria
Gabriele Lavia	...	Mr. Betti
Rossella Falk	...	Laura de Fabritiis
Paolo Maria Scalondro	...	Manni
Roberto Zibetti	...	Lorenzo
Roberto Accornero	...	Fausto
Barbara Lerici	...	Angela
Guido Morbello	...	Detective
Massimo Sarchielli	...	Leone
Diego Casale	...	Beppe
Alessandra Comerio	...	Sig.ra Betti
Elena Marchesini	...	Mel (La Gattina)
Aldo Massasso	...	Cascio

Storyline

A retired detective with insomnia is called upon to solve a series of murders. His partner is a fresh faced rookie who has the aid of the latest technological equipment to help solve the crimes. Will they catch the killer?

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Plot Keywords:

giallo | police detective | poem | murder | killing spree | 

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Taglines:

Creepier than Jack the Ripper

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, some sexuality and language

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian English

Release Date:

5 January 2001 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Sleepless

Filming Locations:

Turin, Piedmont, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Medusa Film,Opera Film (II),Tele+

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"The Animal Farm", the poem that helps Commissioner Moretti and Giacomo to solve the crimes, was written by Asia Argento, daughter of director Dario Argento.

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Goofs

The strap on the pink top that Gloria wears towards the end of the film frequently slides down her shoulder only to have reappeared in its original place in the next shot.

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Crazy Credits

The final scene of this movie and the closing credits play at the same time.

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Connections

Referenced in Adjust Your Tracking (2013)

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Soundtracks

Gwami moloko
Music by Luca Morino, Fabio Barovero and Giovanni Sanfelici
Lyrics by Luca Morino
Strings by Davide Rossi
Performed by Mau Mau

User Reviews

Argento is still one of the greatest (horror) directors to grace this planet!

I had doubts about the quality of this movie as I had heard many people say his recent movies have been of poor quality. My doubts were shattered after the first 20 minutes. After a dazzling (somewhat) double murder Argento proves that he still has it and that he can still make an old-fashioned giallo as good as always. 'Sleepless' features the black-gloved killer, gorgeous camera-work, visceral and stylish gore and a knockout twist that Argento never fails to deliver. And to top off what I've said, legendary actor Max Von Sydow gives an outstanding performance as the main character, Ulisse Moretti. Moretti is a retired detective emerging once again to confront a series of killings which link to another series of killings 17 years ago. The suspect "The Dwarf" died way back then, so who could be killing again? Teaming up Giacomo (Stefano Dionisi), whose mother was killed by "The Dwarf" when he was a child, Moretti tries to solve these recent slew of murders and put to rest the case forever.

From the opening, where we have an intense murder on a train, to the end, where the killer is finally revealed and Max Von Sydow recites a nursery rhyme (which is relevant to the plot) over the credits Argento uses his trademark styles to keep us on the edge of our seats. From his masterful direction, Goblin's always excellent score and the incredibly brutal murder sequences 'Sleepless' is Dario's best movie since Opera. The atmosphere throughout is kept at an intense level, although Argento focuses a lot on the story, which is hardly a bad thing (if anything it's better) and the story unfolds at an excitingly nail-biting pace.

However, like many of his movies, the acting by a few is subpar but that's something that many fans of Argento come to expect and even if you're not it shouldn't matter. With a great Goblin soundtrack, an engaging plot and plenty of yucky gore what else could you want? 4½/5