Insomnia (2002)

[X.]

Insomnia (2002)

Nolan's skill as a storyteller puts some distance between this remake and the justly superior original. Although some scenes and dialogues are exactly the same, they may well be homages to Erik Skjoldbjærg's flawless screenplay. The remake appears similar but the sameness is superficial - both films make different points: unlike Stellan Skarsgard's ambivalent cop, Al Pacino's character is ultimately a moral man and the film deals with the idea of repressed guilt within the texture of Nolan's favourite narrative theme - memory. Robin Williams's serial killer is given almost equal screen time, another change from Erik's killer who's presence was more omniscient. Williams in the remake represents the ambivalent side of human nature, the notion that you can get away with doing wrong and not be remorseful. Erik Skjoldbjærg's villian was a less calculating figure, more confused and deeply afflicted by his guilt. Wally Pfister's cinemtography captures the cold atmosphere of Alaska with surprising warmness and it makes for a nice contrast against the foreboding clinical look of the original. The remake is more entertaining because American cinema puts stories above characters. You have to deduct half a point for not being based on an original screenplay. The score is very very good. ak

Rating:
1/2 out of  

[kaytee]

Now how similar is that poster to The Prestige.