Please don't spend money on this.

Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.

Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

(Flash Review)Pacino nails a great character study of an experienced detective on the verge of losing his reputation, integrity and mind. His character also finds himself in a game of outwitting the suspect he is attempting to capture played very well by Robin Williams. In perusing Williams, Pacino makes a couple decisions that Williams takes advantage of partially due to Pacino's lack of sleep during the endless light in Alaska of Summer. Will Pacino nab him in the end or let him slip through his fingers to protect himself from his bad decisions? This was a solid mystery/thriller with great acting and a nicely packaged story.

Impossible to sleep while watching this movie! Why? Its a thriller for one thing full of a good story with fine acting and directing. To make it even more interesting, it takes place in Alaska and has story within story dynamics something that if done right is most satisfying to viewers. This is done right. It takes a short while to get used to Robin in a serious role but it works so well. Pacino is worth the price of a ticket on his own too. He makes such a good cop because he is an experienced actor. Small town life here is worth noting with everyone knowing everyone else and complications don't exist. Life is predicable and repeats itself making you wonder if that is what everyone has in common who lives there? The entire little town seems to be fenced in with mountains but does have ferry boat, waterway and sea plane access as well as long stretches of highway all scenic as a plus. I bet the air there is as clean as you can get it. Good movie to snack on as the story unfolds or have a sandwich ready to go with a tasty drink. One thing that bears noting is the way Pacino has trouble literally keeping his eyes open as he is acting out not being able to sleep for days. If you watch his expressions, I warn you upfront, you may get a little drowsy but do finish the movie at all costs. Then nap if you can

I was originally drawn to this film because of director Christopher Nolan. After viewing his Batman re-boots (Batman Begins & The Dark Knight) and enjoying them immensely, I was hopefully that Nolan's other works would provide some of the same. In the case of Insomnia, he makes a much more "traditional" film, shrouded in a bit of false advertising to make it seem a bit more mysterious than it really is.For a basic plot summary, the film centers on policeman Will Dormer (Al Pacino), who travels to an Alaskan town to try and solve a murder case. With an Internal Affairs investigation breathing down his neck back home, Dormer is under intense pressure to succeed in this new arena. While teaming with local cop Ellie Burr (Hilary Swank), Dormer not only struggles to solve the case, but also gets mixed up with mysterious writer Walter Finch (Robin Williams).On the whole, this movie functions pretty well as a traditional cop drama. It has the murder mystery, the gun shootouts, and the intrigue plot line which questions the integrity of pretty much everyone involved. Without looking for anything more, this would be a very solid film.However, the film is advertised/promoted as so much more than just a cop drama. The title itself indicates that the condition of insomnia will play a big role in the film, but it does not (Dormer not sleeping doesn't seem to add anything to the plot). Robin Williams's role is billed as a taut, psychological thrill-ride, but he doesn't make an appearance until an hour into the movie and even after that point is severely underutilized. Also, Swank's character is introduced as a potential key part in the film, but she (like Williams) just isn't given anything interesting to do.Thus, I can only give this film an "average" rating due to its inability to rise above a simple cop drama.

Overall: A very good film and recommended for a one time buy/watch. I do think it is worth a cinema ticket or a one time watch but personally wouldn't buy it on DVD.Good: It's very tense and the sleepless scenes have great on the effect on the narrative. Stellar performances from Robin Williams and Al Pacino. The plot is great as is the incredible ending.Bad: The reason why Al is needed is never explained and mostly the other performances are mediocre. Even though it isn't an action movie the action segments are terrible which is unfortunate com from the director of The Dark Knight trilogy.Best Part: The psychological strain Robin puts on Al while on the boat and after the false accusation.9/10