Film Review: Insomnia (1997)

Norwegian cinema has often lived in the shadow of its Scandinavian neighbours from Sweden and Denmark. However, in the 1990s, a notable Norwegian film emerged in the form of Insomnia, a prime example of Nordic noir, a genre that would be popularised by Danish and Swedish film and television. That film is Insomnia, 1997 thriller directed by Erik Skjoldbjaerg.

The protagonist, played by Stellan Skarsgård, is Jonas Engström, brilliant police investigator who came to Norway following the embarrassing incident that had wrecked his career in native Sweden. The plot is set in remote northern city of Tromsø and begins with a murder of teenage girl Tanja Lorentzen (played by Maria Mathiesen). Engström and his partner Erik Vik (played by Sverre Anker Ousdal) arrive from Oslo in order to asssist local police with the investigation. It turns out that the killer is very intelligent and adept and hiding his tracks, but Engström nevertheless sets up even more clever trap. But the ambush goes terribly wrong, with not only killer escaping, but Engström fatally shooting Vik in confusion. In panic, he decides to plant the evidence and point to the killer as responsible. As he struggles with his guilt while trying to continue investigation, Engström soon learns the identity of a killer, a crime novelist Jon Holt (played by Bjørn Holt), who actually starts to blackmail the detective, demanding that he plants evidence against Tanja’s innocent boyfriend Eilert (played by Bjørn Moan) .

Skjoldbjaerg's feature debut showcases a limited budget that gives the film the appearance of an average television production. While the film maintains a professional and sleek aesthetic, it falls short in fully utilizing the exotic setting of Northern Norway and the symbolic significance of the midnight sun. The constant daylight, a key element of the narrative, serves as a reminder of the characters' actions, although its symbolism may require explicit exposition for the audience to grasp its full impact.

The script, co-written by Skjoldbjaerg and Nikolaj Frobenius, compensates for the film's visual limitations with its intelligent storytelling and realistic character portrayals. The narrative unfolds with a non-traditional ending that diverges from typical Hollywood conventions.

Stellan Skarsgård delivers a compelling performance as Engström, portraying a character who is both intelligent and tormented. His portrayal of a morally ambiguous investigator who grapples with his own demons, including engaging in questionable actions, which even includes killing animals, challenges traditional Hollywood norms. The supporting cast, including Sverre Anker Ousdal and Marianne O. Ulrichsen as flirty teenager that might be a key to mystery, deliver commendable performances, with Marie Bonnevie standing out in her role as the intrigued hotel clerk.

Insomnia received critical acclaim and international attention, including Hollywood, which honoured it with 2002 remake directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Al Pacino. Most film who watches this film would conclude that such honour was justified.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

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