Not much to talk about right now. But I did see a good movie on TV last night.

Can’t sleep

Last night, the film Insomnia was on HBO or Cinemax (I don’t remember which). I remembered I wanted to see this, but I couldn’t remember exactly why.

Was it because Robin Williams was in it? Was it because Al Pacino was in it? Or was it because the film was directed by Christopher Nolan (of “Memento” fame)? Probably a little of all the above.

I read a few of the comments made about this movie on the IMDB. I didn’ know this 2002 film was an American adaptation of a Norwegian film by the same name made in 1997. A few people leaving comments on the IMDB said the 2002 version couldn’t hold a candle to the 1997 version. Having not seen the 1997 version, I really enjoyed the 2002 version. I was impressed by how drawn into Det. Dormer’s (Pacino) character I was.

I think the film is about shades of gray in life and how there really is no black and white. It asks the audience to think about some tough questions. You constantly ask yourself if you still think Dormer is a good guy. You ask yourself if Walt Finch (Williams) is truthful about his “accidental” crime. You ask yourself if Det. Burr (Hillary Swank) is blinded by her naivete and admiration for Dormer to realize he may not be everything she thinks he is.

In the end, everyone comes off as incredibly human and real... except maybe Dormer who endures several days of sleeplessness due to the Alaskan midnight sun — more than I think should be humanly possible for a man Pacino’s age. :-)

Some quotes from the dialogue I really enjoyed:

“A good cop can't sleep because he's missing a piece of the puzzle. And a bad cop can't sleep because his conscience won't let him.“
— Burr to Dormer

“I think it's about what you thought was right at the time, and what you're willing to live with.”
— Rachel Clement to Dormer