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by Alex Keen Published: March 14, 2002
CLICK HERE TO READ MY REVIEW - PUBLISHED MAY 2nd Perhaps the best thriller of 2002 is coming out very early in the year. “Insomnia,” directed by “Memento” wunderkind Christopher Nolan, will hit theaters May 24th. A remake of a Norwegian film (also “Insomnia”), Nolan lines up a detective, Al Pacino, to take down a killer, Robin Williams. And of course there are the interesting quirks that all thrillers need – for “Insomnia” it is the killer’s methodical neatness and his chilling phone calls to the detective. The most disappointing part of “Insomnia” right now is that the killer has already been revealed. In an ideal world, the ads would never show Williams, much like the killer in “Se7en” was hidden until the end. Instead an audience will enter already knowing who the bad guy is, and knowing he’s just Williams’s dark side. For Pacino, it should be interesting to see if he plays the role low profile, like “The Insider,” or if he shouts continually like in “Heat.” And for Swank, this will be her second test to see if she can handle a high profile supporting role (which is crucial after “The Affair of the Necklace” bombed). Here is a list of filmographies of the core cast members: 
Al Pacino – One of the late 20th century’s greatest dramatic actors, Pacino has become the quintessential act-by-power performer. Known for his ability to belt dialogue and pierce with his eyes, Pacino chews scenery like a goat in a paper factory. Although he made two films prior, Pacino’s breakthrough came in “The Godfather.” Playing the son of Marlon Brando’s Vito Corleone, Michael, Pacino was nominated for Supporting Actor Awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (Oscar) and the Hollywood Foreign Press Assoc. (Golden Globe). Unlike Pacino’s later work, “The Godfather” showcased a subtle but powerful actor. Pacino next co-starred with Gene Hackman in “Scarecrow.” “Scarecrow” is typically forgotten due to his next three roles: “Serpico,” “The Godfather Part II,” and “Dog Day Afternoon.” An Oscar nomination for each role, Pacino racked up four noms in four years - a phenomenal accomplishment to say the least. Pacino ended the 1970s with “Bobby Deerfield” and “…And Justice For All” (which garnered him yet another Best Actor nomination). The 1980s started with the lesser remembered “Cruising” and “Author! Author!” In 1983, Pacino made the gangster bloodbath “Scarface,” an updated remake of the Howard Hawks classic from 1932. In 1985, bad luck burst into Pacino’s life, as “Revolution,” opened to bad reviews, and terrible box office (Variety reports a pathetic $358k in 4 weeks). The film was nominated for 4 Razzie Awards, including Worst Actor and Worst Picture. Pacino’s next film would not be for four years, with “Sea of Love.” However, his Hollywood comeback would be Warren Beatty’s “Dick Tracy.” Pacino worked consistently in the 1990s, with noteworthy appearances in “The Godfather Part III,” “Glengarry Glen Ross,” “Scent of a Woman,” “Heat,” “The Insider,” and his last big release “Any Given Sunday.” Last year’s “People I Know” was delayed due to the tragedy on 9/11, while other films coming soon for Pacino include “Simone” and “The Farm.” 
Robin Williams - One of the most beloved stand-up comedians of his generation, Robin Williams became a household name after the “Happy Days” spin-off “Mork & Mindy” became a sitcom staple. Williams broke into film with the title role in Robert Altman’s fiasco “Popeye.” Williams then took a somewhat more dramatic turn in the Oscar Nominated “The World According to Garp.” In the early 1980s Williams made a couple mediocre comedies, before the moderate success “Club Paradise.” In 1987, “Good Morning Vietnam” brought Williams his first bona-fide hit. Winning a Golden Globe Award and his first Oscar nomination, Williams was doing great for a stand-up comedian and former sitcom star. His ability to intertwine comedy and drama continued in the well known “Dead Poets Society,” “Awakenings,” and “The Fisher King.” He earned two more Oscar nominations (for “Poets” and “Fisher”) and a Golden Globe nomination for all three. Roles in “Hook,” “Aladdin,” “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “Jumanji,” “The Birdcage,” and “Flubber” helped make Williams rich and famous. However, an Oscar and the dramatic prestige that goes along with it was missing – until “Good Will Hunting” brought a teary-eyed Williams to the Academy’s stage. Unfortunately, Williams followed his Oscar with several duds. Look for three movies from Williams this year: "Death to Smoochy,” “Insomnia,” and “One Hour Photo.” Hilary Swank – The belle of the ball for 2000’s Oscars, Swank had her start in film with “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” Followed up by several television roles, Swank did not reach the spotlight until she starred in 1994’s notorious “The Next Karate Kid.” The end of the series, “Next” will be remembered with the likes of “Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles,” “The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas,” and “Leonard Part 6” as the worst sequels ever made. Swank would then star in two consecutive films alongside “Family Ties” alum Michael Gross – “Sometimes They Come Back… Again” and “Kounterfeit.” Swank filled in 1997 with television movies and a minor role on “Beverly Hills, 90210.” In 1998, Swank starred alongside her future husband, Chad Lowe, in the indie film “Quiet Days in Hollywood.” And in 1999 Swank got the role of a lifetime in “Boys Don’t Cry.” Starring alongside indie darling, Chloe Sevigny, Swank portrayed real life female transgender Teena Brandon. This small film took Critics awards and the Independent Spirit Awards by storm. The buzz surrounding the role helped Swank win her first Oscar at age 25. She followed up her win in Sam Raimi’s “The Gift” as a southern wife tormented by her abusive husband. In 2001, she starred in “The Affair of the Necklace,” a period drama that failed to perform at the box office. In late 2002 or 2003 she is to appear in the science fiction film “The Core.” Maura Tierney – Best known for her roles on television, Tierney has been working hard on establishing her film career alongside Ben Affleck, Jim Carrey, John Travolta, Anthony Hopkins, and now Pacino & Williams. Tierney has an extensive history in TV movies and Cinemax fair (including my favorite “White Sands”). She officially broke through with her casting on the cult comedy “Newsradio.” Alongside Phil Hartman and Dave Foley, Tierney began to build a fanbase that only cult TV would allow (see Jeri Ryan). A prominent role in “Liar Liar” proved that Tierney could play sentimental and funny. Roles in “Forces of Nature,” “Primary Colors,” and “Instinct” continued Tierney’s progression. In 2000, she landed a starring role in the #1 drama on television, “ER.” She can currently be seen in the indie release “Scotland, PA.” Nicky Katt - An actor from an early age, Katt has slowly blossomed into one of the most powerful small-role dramatic actors in film. While Katt had a pile of minor kid roles, for example Schoolchild in “Gremlin,” his first real name role is in “The ‘Burbs.” Katt was then in the little seen “Martians Go Home,” and in Whoopi Goldberg hit “Sister Act.” In 1993, Katt had his first major break in “Dazed and Confused.” As Clint Bruno, Katt took a role of maybe five lines, and created a classic character never to be forgotten. His follow-up roles in “Strange Days,” “The Doom Generation,” and “The Babysitter” helped Katt pay the bills, and hone his craft. In “A Time to Kill,” Katt received a high-profile scenery role as a rapist. Next for Katt was "sUburbi@," “Johns,” “Batman & Robin,” “Phantoms,” “One True Thing,” and “The Limey.” Prominent roles in “Boiler Room,” “Rules of Engagement,” and “The Way of the Gun,” lead to Katt’s current starring role on FOX’s “Boston Public.” After a small voice role in “Waking Life,” Katt is working on Steven Soderbergh’s “Full Frontal,” as well as continuing on “Boston Public.” 
Christopher Nolan - If you have not heard the name Christopher Nolan this year, then consider yourself outside of the cinematic loop. Nolan’s spectacular sophomore effort, “Memento,” has been receiving accolades all year long, and was completely robbed at the Oscar Nominations. While “Memento” is thought by many to be his debut, “Following” was Nolan’s first effort. Written by Nolan, “Following” is only 69 minutes long, but took Nolan quite some time to complete. In true indie style, Nolan and crew worked frugally to get it completed. Once it was finished, it performed well at some of the smaller festivals, and won the Black & White Award at the Slamdance Film Festival. The director and his brother Jonathan conceived Nolan’s follow-up, “Memento.” Nominated for two Awards at the Sundance Film Festival, “Memento’s” slow release pattern allowed word to spread nationwide about this powerful thriller. Even without a major distributor, “Memento” managed to make $25million domestic. Although “Memento” was mostly overlooked by the Academy, it received nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Editing. Also Coming Soon: About a Boy | The Panic Room | Minority Report | Heaven | Undercover Brother | Images from the "Insomnia" trailer are the property of Warner Brothers. The trailer can be seen here: Warner Brothers. |
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