Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Al Pacino | ... | Will Dormer | |
Martin Donovan | ... | Hap Eckhart | |
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Oliver 'Ole' Zemen | ... | Pilot |
Hilary Swank | ... | Ellie Burr | |
Paul Dooley | ... | Chief Nyback | |
Nicky Katt | ... | Fred Duggar | |
Larry Holden | ... | Farrell | |
Jay Brazeau | ... | Francis | |
Lorne Cardinal | ... | Rich | |
James Hutson | ... | Officer #1 | |
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Andrew Campbell | ... | Officer #2 |
Paula Shaw | ... | Coroner | |
Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe | ... | Kay Connell (as Crystal Lowe) | |
Tasha Simms | ... | Mrs. Connell | |
Maura Tierney | ... | Rachel Clement |
In Nightmute, Alaska, seventeen year old resident Kay Connell is found murdered. As a favor to the local Nightmute police chief, two Los Angeles Robbery Homicide police detectives, Will Dormer and Hap Eckhart, are called in to assist in the investigation. Although renowned in the police world, both Dormer and Eckhart are facing some professional issues back in Los Angeles. In Nightmute, Dormer has a major case of insomnia due to a combination of the incessant midnight sun and from a secret he is carrying. This insomnia is causing him to be delusional. Something he is not dreaming about is that the murderer has contacted him, informing him all about the murder and the fact that he knows everything that is going on with Dormer. They begin a symbiotic relationship in keeping secrets for each individual's benefit. But ambitious young local detective, Ellie Burr, might piece the story together on her own. Written by Huggo
Insomnia is almost a collage of several other mystery films (namely Se7en) tied into one, but not distinctively. Although it wasn't completely repetitive, it was as cliché as detective work goes, and the movie didn't stand out one way or another. Whether it's the elusive murderer on the loose or the mentally plagued cop who's trying his best, this movie is predictable and lacks ingenuity.
Accompanying the lack of creativity, the prime actors and actresses had average performances and the emotional conviction in the roles was often lacking. A straight plot followed by routine dialogue made Insomnia rather mundane and an effort to watch. Although there were particular exciting scenes, they were rather short and sparse. The resources were there, but execution was a miss.
Whether it's L.A. Confidential, The Usual Suspects, Se7en or any other great mystery movie, these all had a strong emotional attachment that hook viewers into truly empathizing with the protagonists and mystery at hand. Unfortunately in Insomnia, it's almost like you already know the fate of the characters, and still don't care.