Customer Reviews
Which is better? - By: Mr. Colin Martyr, 13 Jul 2007 
On my viewings, both this film & the US remake are four-and-a-half star films. (I've given this one four as the system only alllows you to score in "whole" stars). Although, unusuallly for a US remake, the Pacino version follows the original plot pretty faithfully, they are markedly different films. To me, the tension between Pacino & his nemesis Robin Williams holds the US version together in a more traditional, cohesive way. Its easier on the eye (why do we see so much of NY & LA in American films & so little of the barren north?)and Pacino, inevitably, gives a tour de force when unleashed on the subject matter of mental disintegration in the Arctic Circle. The Norwegian version is quirkier, less menacing, more matter of fact. And yet... to me, the European film toughs it out. Watch both films & ask yourself this. Which leaves the more memorable images? I'd say its the merciless, tormented, final fadeout of the Norwegian original. Pacino, you feel, finds a sort of redemption. Skarsgard never does & never will.
Atmospheric Norwegian thriller - By: David Welsh, 16 Apr 2006 This is the original Norwegian version of the film which was re-made in Hollywood by Christopher Nolan starring Al Pacino & Robin Williams. The Norwegian version stars Stellan Skarsgård, who is excellent, & is a well-made & suspenseful film. It is fairly standard thriller fayre, but it's very well shot & directed, with a distinct atmosphere & visual flavour. This isn't a brilliant film, but it is a good one & certainly worth watching if you like crime thrillers.
A film to keep you awake! - By: Ekkelf, 08 Mar 2005 
Much of the new stylish film making from Scandinavia comes from Norway, & is often callled "Norwave" to reflect this. Insomnia is an excellent example of this style. Compared to the Hollywood remake this film is darker, more forboding & more claustrophobic. The tension becomes almost palpable as the story unfolds in the relentless glare of north Norway's midnight sun, leading to the physical & mental deterioration of the main character as he leads a murder enquiry. And no, he does not have the cliched name of Dormer here! When it arrives, the ending is both climactic & believable. The result - a very satisfying film that is certain to keep the viewer's attention from beginning to end.
Norweigen gem - By: , 19 Jul 2004 This is a typical example of how a good foreign movie gets messed up by Hollywood big-wigs. This a far better version than the Pacino-Williams film in 2 ways. Firstly visuallly the landscape is not only stunning but adds to the atmosphere of the film. Secondly, the actors fit their roles better [i thought the roles of Pacino-Williams never reallly worked], this gives you a much better sense of what the characters are going through & makes you feel attatched to them & therefore the film.
Morally ambiguous thriller that doesn't need a remake - By: quakeyjase, 07 Dec 2003 Grim, hard-nosed Swede on secondment plays bad cop, badder cop to track down a teenage girl's killer. Scandinavians prove they can play hardballl with the best in this hardboiled detective thriller. If you like the genre but are bored by South African drug dealers in Los Angeles with unfeasible explosions or daft buddy cop films try this.
Makes Dirty Harry look like Miss Marple.
