This year, Nolan unveiled his new film, Oppenheimer, which is rated R, a biopic about American physicist Robert Oppenheimer's involvement in the atomic bomb program.
Oppenheimer
However, not everyone knows that Nolan's first R-rated film was 2002's Insomnia, a psychological thriller based on a Norwegian film.
"Insomnia"
The film is adapted from the 1997 Norwegian film of the same name "Insomnia", which is the third feature film directed by Nolan, and his first Hollywood work and R-rated film.
Next, I will make a brief introduction to the plot, no spoilers, feel free to read...
The story takes place in a small town in Alaska, where the extreme day season is in which day never darkens.
The protagonist is a Los Angeles police detective Will Domo (Al Pacino), who and his partner Hap (Martin Donvin) are sent to help investigate a teenage murder.
Will Domo (Al Pacino)
Their opponent is a mysterious writer Walter Fincher (Robin Williams), who is also a suspect. Another important role is the young local policewoman is Ellie Burr (Hilary Swank), who has great admiration and trust for Domo.
Walt Fincher (Robin Williams)
Elle Burr (Hilary Swank)
Domo is a good detective, but he also has his own secrets and weaknesses;
The murderer Fincher is very cunning and calm, and his murder is a form of self-expression and rebellion against the world;
Burr is an upright policewoman who admires Domo very much, but she later becomes puzzled by his behavior.
The three protagonists of "Insomnia", Domo, Fincher and Burr, explore the complexity and ambiguity of human nature and morality, and the impact of sin and lies on human psychology and behavior.
"Insomnia" shows Nolan's use of light and shadow and color, as well as the switching of subjective perspectives of characters, which laid the foundation for his later works.
It also shows the superb performances of the two master actors, Pacino and Williams, whose rivalry in the film is impressive.
Of course, this movie also has some shortcomings and shortcomings...
Compared to the original movie, it is somewhat protracted and verbose.
Compared to Nolan's other films, it lacks some innovation and surprise, lacks some depth and metaphor, and is somewhat straightforward and simple. Some netizens laughed and called this Nolan's "black history".
The film was released in the United States on May 24, 2002, with a production cost of $46 million and a global box office of $113 million, and was nominated for Best Sound Editing at the 75th Academy Awards.
Directed by Nolan
In short, "Insomnia" is not Nolan's best work, but Nolan's first work in Hollywood has opened up a broader creative field for him, and it is a work with its own characteristics and charm, which is worth watching!