Insomnia MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +3 Content: -3

Ace Los Angeles detective Will Dormer (Al Pacino) and his partner Hap Eckhart (Martin Donovan) fly into a small Alaskan fishing village to investigate the grisly murder of a teenage girl. A few hours later, Will and Hap are chasing a suspect, crime-fiction writer Walter Finch (Robin Williams), through a dense fog. In the heavy mists, Will accidentally shoots Hap, who dies at the scene. An intense, heart-stopping series of events follow as Will desperately tries to cover up his mistake, solve the case and deal with a vicious killer who saw what really happened in the fog. The Alaskan summer, with its 24 hours of light, makes sleep impossible for the visiting detective, whose legendary case-solving skills begin to deteriorate with the deprivation. Hilary Swank plays Ellie Burr, a young, dedicated local detective eager to learn from the master investigator. INSOMNIAs stellar cast, intricate plot and suspense demand viewers rapt attention -- dont close your eyes for a moment.

Wills tenacity in finding the truth has not always stayed within the limits of the law. His past actions are under investigation for tampering with evidence in earlier cases. Now he seems to be doing it again, rationalizing that the end justify the means. However, when Ellie discovers her mentors deceptiveness and offers to destroy incriminating evidence, Will advises her to not follow that path. As usual, Hollywood portrays law enforcement officers as foul-mouthed. At least 51 obscenities, including 34 f-words and 10 s-words, pollute the dialogue. The vicious killer stalks Will, luring him into life-threatening danger. A near drowning, brutal fighting and shoot-outs are very intense, but descriptions of the teenagers torture and killing give viewers insight into the killers demonic mind. The climatic confrontation between the killer and Will is particularly graphic and violent. With the exception of a brief glimpse of the naked murder victim on an autopsy table, INSOMNIA has no nudity or overt sexual content. However, discerning viewers, who refuse to support films with filthy language, will certainly avoid this thriller and hope Hollywood pays attention!

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Warner Bros., 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522