British film director Christopher Nolan hit the big time in 2000 with his time-bending thriller Memento, starring Guy Pearce as a man desperate to avenge his wife's murder.

His third film, Insomnia, is his first with a major Hollywood studio and has a cast to match - Al Pacino, Hilary Swank and Robin Williams.

"The real strength of Insomnia is the way it combines what we expect of a cop film with an unexpected capacity to unsettle its audience and provoke their thoughts.," wrote BBC News Online's Charles Bodsworth.

But what do you think?

Is it as original as Memento? What do you think of Robin Williams as a straight actor?

I watched Insomnia Saturday night and thought it was superb. Great cast (even if I'm biased as Al Pacino's one of my fave actors!), and a particularly good performance from Robin Williams. Good to see him as a bad guy at last!! Top film!
Toby Bown, England

I enjoyed Insomnia. The story keeps you interested and there's some good use of tension. Al Pacino takes the role well, fortunately avoiding the pantomime style of acting that seems to have become his trademark recently. Still, this movie certainly does not match Memento for sheer originality and entertainment. Oh yeah, casting Robin Williams as a sinister character just doesn't work. He just doesn't have the right look. I mean, would you think of casting someone like Christopher Walken in Good Morning Vietnam?
Silverborg, England

Earlier this year, David Cronenberg decried the lack of an intelligent adult cinema that allows the audience to think for itself. This is a rare beast - the likes of Magnolia and The Deep End satisfied, but we need films like this in the mainstream, not just relegated to arthouse distribution.

Insomnia is exactly what we're looking for.

Granted, it's not as arresting as Momento - this one has a linear narrative, so comparisons maybe unfair - but the superb direction and panic-driven editing lift this thriller way above its multiplex neighbours.

You can't but feel completely isolated and frustrated for Al Pacino's Will Dormer, as the never-ending daylight plays with his mind and his conscience.

Pacino's looking his age at last, but it suits his world-weary Dormer to a tee, Hilary Swank makes good use of what would be a throwaway support role in any other thriller, and Robin Williams? Why does everyone sound surprised that he is good in straight roles? Dead Poet's Society, Dead Again, Moscow On The Hudson, Awakenings - he CAN play it without laughs, and his Finch of Insomnia is possibly the best straight role he's done. Nasty, lonely and manipulative, Williams steals it!

In all, Insomnia is a film for those who like to think when watching. Now it's time for either the BBC or Channel Four to show the original Norwegian version, so we can compare and contrast.
Darren Parry, Wales, UK

When watching the film you actually do feel the frustrations of not getting any sleep when observing Pacino but it is Williams who comes across on a whole different level. By playing a calm yet sick individual, he proves that he can and will continue to take on straight roles. By the way, how original is the film? One should take a look at Insomnia starring Stellan Skarsg�rd.
Kunal Patel, Ireland

An amazing film! I saw Memento when it fisrt came out and have been eagerly awaiting Nolan's third film. The way Nolan draws parellels with each of the characters is fantastic. An intelligent film from Hollywood!!!
Russell Hamilton, Scotland

Tremendous film. One of the best of the year. An unexpectedly intelligent and gripping Hollywood remake of a European classic.
Ru, UK

Not as original as Memento but that's not surprising. Having multiple story strands on different times (like Memento) is not normal for a film. Insomnia is original in look, feel, story and the way that your sympathies change with the characters several times during the film. It's just not as obviously different/original as Memento. Jolly good movie though. Having lived in arctic Sweden through a whole summer of 24 hour daylight I could understand the can't sleep mania to a certain extent. Kept thinking "get an eye mask" though ...
BS McIntosh, UK

I saw this film on Sunday and thought it was excellent. Williams does not appear until well into the film but has a commanding role.

I was pleased to see that it IS possible to make a film that people will want to see that does not have swearing or sex scenes every few seconds. This was a real movie with a professional cast. Well worth a visit.
Ray Bennett, UK

It was good entertainement, I've been missing Al (after a few stinkers), he's back and Robin makes a great villian.
Zoe, UK

Insomnia has a damn good story with impressive direction from Nolan. However, it's a million miles away from the excellent Memento but still has enough class to pull it off ..in spite of Robin Williams!!!
Haris, UK

Good strong thriller with a measured and controlled peformance by both Pacino and Williams. It works equally well as a police cat and mouse thriller or a character study. The film's location gives the picture an unsettling mood and overall the film is both effective and engaging with a moral depth that is rare in the genre.
Alex, UK

Grr! Yet another example of Hollywood taking a perfectly good film and Americanising it for domestic use. This kind of cultural colonialism really gets on my nerves. The original Norwegian film of the same name is a brilliant thriller, set in Troms�. It didn't need remaking, especially not with Robin Williams!
Charlotte Cooper, UK

I was most impressed, I could see this film as an exciting book and even though I kept thinking of Robin Williams as Mork, he was convincing as a strange twisted murderer. The film gripped me till the end.
Vikki Cartwright, England

Predictable, disappointing, borderline boring. How could anyone persuade three Oscar winners to make such a movie? Oh yeah, the scenery is amazing, though.
Joanna, UK

I found Insomnia a beautifully shot, thought-provoking film with good performances all round (as weird as it was to see Robin Williams as a villain!). Definitely a change from the usual murder thriller, even down to the location. While it's not the greatest film I've ever seen, it's certainly the best advert for Alaska I've ever seen - absolutely staggering scenery shots. I'd recommend it overall and certainly preferred it a lot more to Memento.
Lynn, England

A pale imitation of the 1997 Norwegian original which most of you won't ever bother to check out because it's foreign, there's no one famous in it and you'd have to read subtitles. I caught it on Film 4 last year. It's a dark, menacing film, with a lead character that you empathise with rather than like, and an ending where not everyone gets their comeuppance.

The new version...it's as though someone has taken the original and chewed it up until it's soft and mushy to spoon feed it to a baby. If this version had been made first no one would want to remake it. The characters are either easily recognisable cop types or a "Look, it's Robin Williams" type killer. The first twenty minutes of the script is toe-curlingly awful, the dialogue is so banal. The acting is all mediocre, except for Martin Donovan's death scene and a couple of Robin Williams' phone calls.

The photography is excellent, but it's used to show how beautiful the landscape is rather than tell the story (except for the chase across the logs on the river, which is an excellent scene). Christopher Nolan can make great movies - but this is not one of them. I suspect in five or ten years he will say so himself.
Steve, England

Excellent movie - Pacino wipes the floor with all and sundry, as you suspect. I can't say it can be compared to Memento (or should it be, even as it's based on another film of the same name, so it can't be an original concept!)

As for Robin Williams - I'm not sure. Although obviously talented, I can't see much difference in how he's played other roles compared to this. It was fine, I have no real problem with it but it was a flatline of a performance - nothing startling, just a bit monotone. Dare I say that once you take the humour out of his work then it turns a bit dull.
Neill Rees, England

A very ordinary picture. Pacino overacts throughout . Williams is better as the baddie. But, even he is sunk by the inanely simple plot. Missable.
Christopher James, N.Ireland

Having just seen this film I must say that I have been very impressed with Robin Williams performance. It seems that with this and a couple of other upcoming films, Robin Williams has finally got his career back on track.
Chris Hughes, Northern Ireland

I enjoyed Insomnia. Memento is one of my favourite films, and when compared with the new release, the latter does appear inferior. But that is unfair. It holds fantastic performances from the Oscar-winning actors, and is a movie that - like Memento - you must dig deep to unearth complex themes and emotions.

Nolan is doing what David Fincher did, who - after the superb originality of Fight Club and Seven - had a stab at a rather formulaic story, but also added style and good performances.

Why compare movies like this? Of course, Memento was great, and so is Insomnia. Don't try and label one as inferior, but instead, compare the new release with the bad movies that fill the cinemas, such as Tomb Raider or The Sum of All Fears. Then we can hail Insomnia as a masterpiece!

And surely any film that does not leave you with the urge to strangle Robin Williams is indeed a masterpiece.
Jodie, UK

Nolan is just as gifted and imaginative within the confines of a mainstream feature. Pacino is particularly effective, but it's disconcerting to see Williams do a 180 in such an unexpected role. One Hour Photo was just released over here and he's just as creepy in that one!
Robert del Valle, USA

I was lucky enough to watch Insomnia at a special screening introduced by Chris Nolan himself, and I thought it was superb. The cinematography is simply beautiful and all three of the leading players contribute subtle, yet powerful, performances. In fact, I haven't seen Pacino fitting into a role as easy as he does here since Heat. He may have only a few films under his belt, but Chris Nolan is shaping up to be one of our brightest hopes for the future. So do yourself a favour and avoid Men In Cack and see Insomnia.
Reece De Ville, UK

It's a fun film, but I thought the Norwegian version had more guts.
Amanda, USA

Of course, whilst some reviewers think it was a great advertisement for Alaska, it was filmed in British Columbia. A far better advertisement for Canada.
Adrian, Canada

I found Insomnia to be a re-tread of many cop films we've seen before, but with added style and atmosphere. We feel isolated, uneasy and alone throughout the entire film, mirroring Pacino's Will Dormer. The stunning landscapes, icy glaciers and eerie light are all seen in pale, washed-out colours. Characters are never fully drawn, but exist in shades of grey.

Williams' motives never quite ring true with the evidence, Dormer can't explain his own actions and nothing is ever fully explained. Those expecting another Memento will be disappointed, it isn't as clever or as surprising. however if you are looking for an extremely well-crafted character-based mystery (I think thriller is too strong a word for this film) backed up with superb performances from Pacino, Williams and Swank and something more than a little different from the norm then give this a look. You won't be disappointed
Simon Oxlade, UK

After seeing Insomnia late on Saturday night I felt very unsettled.

Al Pacino was so convincing as a man who had had no sleep for 6 days - perhaps his quest for realism meant that he really had stayed awake!

I always enjoy Robin Williams in a straight role. It seems more convincing knowing that he is probably making the cast laugh between takes, and then putting his serious face back on with so much conviction.

Overall I enjoyed the movie and the scenery was spectacular. It felt strange coming out into a warm summer evening after all that snow!
Nikki Doyle, England

Excellent direction and some great visuals .... but what a predictable plot, and too dumb for words at times. After all, everyone says the constant light causes problems, so what do they have in the hotel? Some flimsy blinds!! Has no one in Alaska heard of blackout blinds?...
Martin Chinnery, UK

In response to some of the posts above: 1) I have seen the original Norwegian version. The remake is better. the Dormer character is now far more accessible to the audience, rather than alienating them.

2) To anyone who claims Robin Williams can't act, or isn't menacing, then try to say the same thing after seeing him in One Hour Photo. It's out here in a couple of weeks, and I can assure you that he will receive a Best Actor Oscar nomination for it.

Insomnia proves that Chris Nolan is one of the best directors around (and not just the best Brit director).
Steve, UK

To Toby Bown, England, don't you remember when Al Pacino was the bad guy in Godfather? Ah well, must be a sign of my age!
Alastair Nel, England/Belgium

Alistair Nel - I think you'll find Toby was referring to ROBIN WILLIAMS as the bad guy!...
Lou, UK

Not a patch on the original by Erik Skjoldbjaerg. Pacino can't match the subtlety or the intensity of Stellan Skarsgard.
Dhananjay Katju, USA

Well constructed and gripping film but it would have been more comprehensible with subtitles! The two LA cops spat out their insults so fast that it was not always possible to hear them. But I'm griping. It's a good escape from small town politics, and the subtleties of the cross-currents are hinted at rather than hammered out. 8/10
James Wood, UK

The film was a pale imitation of the Norwegian original, full of Hollywood smudges that weakened story, plot and character. The river logs chase scene was lifted straight out of a video game. The movie was a good example of how Hollywood can inflate a good small film into an empty balloon of a work by missing all the real moral imperatives. One example: in the original the detective shoots a dog to fake forensic evidence. In the Hollywood version Pacino happens to come upon a dead dog - very convenient. The film was full of such smudged issues.
Gareth, USA

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