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Sleepless [2001]
![Sleepless [2001]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5130PRDW6BL._SL160_.jpg)
Sleepless never attains anywhere near a level of nightmarish intensity, but it has its moments--especially the least rational ones. Although the plot involves no elements of the supernatural, and everything is finally (if cumbersomely) explained, it's episodes like the first killing (where the murderer traps his victim on a speeding train he couldn't possibly have boarded) that strike most effectively home. The action involves a retired police inspector (von Sydow) lured back to investigate a series of killings in Turin that replicate murders he was assigned to 17 years earlier. As always with Argento, knives figure prominently, as do prowling steadicam tracking shots, old dark houses and females butchered in any number of gory and far-fetched ways. The film looks unfailingly good, courtesy of its rich dark palate of colours, Ronnie Taylor's sinuous camera, and Argento's favourite group Goblin contribute an edgy, insidious score.
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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Dario Argento's 2001 feature Sleepless didn't receive a cinematic release in the UK, and it's not hard to see why. The movie often feels like Argento on auto-pilot, rehashing images and ideas and camera angles from his more inspired films like Suspiria or Tenebrae. The dialogue is leaden, the plot is a plodding whodunnit (and most of the time it's hard to care who) and the acting, with the exception of the veteran Max von Sydow, is mostly atrocious and crudely dubbed. But then again, no one ever came to an Argento movie for the plot or the dialogue, and least of all for the acting. The key to his mastery has always been the atmosphere of a nightmare that he conjures up, with all its jagged imagery and complete absence of narrative logic. The less sense it makes, the scarier it gets.
B.S. did not get what uk promised me....
Review date: 2008-06-13 Rating: 2 out of 10
completly unsatisfied, opened package only to find single disc print of film.
b.s. - specifically ordered 2 disc do to its technical backround as well as extra features. refuse to ever order from uk again.
mike
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Reviews
Never sleep again...
Review date: 2007-12-20 Rating: 8 out of 10
When this movie was first announced, I immediately rejoiced. The excellent Dario Argento (he of the classics SUSPIRIA and PHENOMENA) returning to the giallo thriller? Acclaimed actor Max Von Sydow in a major role? How could this go wrong? Then, I quickly remembered Dario's latest few movies, and my heart sank. Luckily, for his fans - on this occasion, Dario isn't ready to disappoint as SLEEPLESS (NON HO SONNO) is a striking return to form with an added bonus: This movie doesn't resemble his earlier flicks in the fact that characterisation and plot take a back seat, this one is actually story driven and besides the gorgeous visuals that are on display, Argento delivers characters that you care about and a story that is actually involving.
The story is standard giallo fare. In Turin, 1983 - a serial killer nicknamed THE DWARF (I know, I know, don't switch off just yet) is terrorising young women. Detective Moretti (played by the excellent Max Von Sydow) apparently solves the case, promptly becomes a hero and then retires from policing altogether. Fast forward 17 years later, and the killings start up again. He is drawn back into the case with the aid of a young man Giacomo (Sefano Dionisi), who's mother was killed by the Dwarf. Together, they unravel the mystery that has lasted for over 17 years.
The movie is fantastic, ranking up as one of Argento's best. The opening sequence aboard a speeding train, where the killer plays cat and mouse with a young woman is superb. A tight and never-ending scene, where you truly don't know when the killer will pop up and go BOO. Infact, the movie is littered with these great scenes of true horror, and whilst watching you begin to wonder why no one in the US can conjur up horror movies like this (I think I might throw up if some bright spark at a movie studio decides to greenlight another remake or teen horror clone). The cinematography is very stylish (Argento reteams with OPERA stalwart Ronnie Taylor), with the correct use of light and day sequences to truly give the feeling that no one is safe in this movie, whether it be in daylight or darkness. Also, kudos to the cast. Von Sydow is great, and slips into his role like a glove. His scenes are always moving and you are drawn to him whenever he appears on screen. The supporting cast members are also very good, which is strange for an Argento movie, as usually the dubbing or acting grates on me whenever I see his movies. Infact, I can't say anything negative about this movie . . . oh, except one thing. Yet again, Argento likes ALL of his victims to be beautiful young women. This still seems strange to me, as in most of his movies - its the fairer sex who are butchered and hardly any men. (This movie is no exception, and the death sequences are truly horrible. Witness the death of Giacomo's mother in flashback - yeah, obviously a fake head effect - but, the implications of the scene are quite disturbing. The deaths throughout the picture depict women being beaten to a pulp, cut open and generally treated like meat. So, if you are a casual viewer, approach this movie with caution - I, even as a big Argento fan found this movie to be a little TOO MUCH in the way of female killing. Maybe next time Dario, skewer a few guys, huh? Just to even it out?)
Now, lets get onto the actual DVD. On disc 1, not only do you get a beautiful widescreen transfer of the movie, but also a 'making of', a european theatrical trailer and bios. Not bad, I would be quite happy with that. But, that's not all - on disc 2 you also get the cool Dario Argento documentary with insights not only about him, but snippets from Romero, Carpenter, etc. A great addition for any Argento fan. So, all-in-all, a great return to form with a great disc. Forget those dull gore porn or teen horror movies that have littered our movie theatres and video stores for the past few years - go for real horror directed by one of the best guys around. Recommended.
argento still has the giallo crown !
Review date: 2007-09-02 Rating: 10 out of 10
for those of you who criticise this later offering by dario argento,it must have been extremely difficult to follow earlier cult films such as"deep red","tenebrae" & "suspiria". but i think this film still proves
that mr argento is even to this day the master of the itailian horror
cinema.
the film kicks off with a hooker leaving a clients appartment after stealing his file of murders & boy does he pursue her like a scared rabbit
the atmosphere is fantastic as usual ,heavy rain pounding soundtrack by
darios ,i think,greatest composers,goblin.
the chase on the train,the screaming,the blood its all there!
veteran actor max von sydow is in there to add polish on the already gleaming production .
if you like "deep red" with a mystery lots of shocks & blood then this is
for you ! giallo is back with a vengeance !
Sleepless leaves you sleepless...
Review date: 2007-08-23 Rating: 2 out of 10
... but not because of the terror you have seen on the screen but because of the anger about having spent any money on this dull, boring, absolutely un-shocking, un-terrifying trash piece of movie. Any episode of Teletubbies is far more creepy than this movie. Not worth any dime!
A bit of a mess - but hugely enjoyable!
Review date: 2007-06-19 Rating: 8 out of 10
I loved this film, even though it demonstrates all Argento's faults as a film maker. Apart from the wonderful Max Von Sydow, the acting is pretty rough - I kept thinking it must be dubbed into English, the speech patterns were so wooden, the camera work in places seemed to be a lesson in 'how not to ...' (a lengthy view of the back of one character's head, extras who seem to deliberately walk in front of camera, etc), and generally the whole movie had the air of a rather sleazy Fererro Roche advert.
However, there is something about Argento's style seduces the viewer, and although the film is only 5 or 6 years old, it had a distinctly '70s feel to it, very much like my favourite, the Bird with the Crystal Plumage, which lent it an odd, uneasy air of nostalgia.
All in all, its faults actually added to its charm and I absolutely loved this film. Far more imaginative than anything coming out of Hollywood at the moment, dim the lights, lower you expectations just a little, sit back and enjoy!
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Gabriele Lavia
Stefano Dionisi
Max Von Sydow
Chiara Caselli
Creators:
Max Von Sydow (Primary Contributor)
Stefano Dionisi (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Pinnacle Vision/Lighthouse
Manufacturer: Pinnacle Vision/Lighthouse
EAN: 5024571700508
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2006-12-11
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 117 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2001
Language: English (Original Language)