Christopher Nolan has identified what he considers his most underrated movie, surprising many by selecting a film that stands apart from the rest of his celebrated works. In the 2020 book The Nolan Variations by Tom Shone, the Oscar-winning director behind Oppenheimer shared insights about this choice, highlighting a film that is deeply personal to him despite being less recognized in his career.
Nolan’s Unexpected Pick for His Most Overlooked Film
Among Nolan’s notable films often viewed as underrated are The Prestige, a complex thriller overshadowed by his Batman trilogy, and Tenet, which struggled at the box office during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, his cult classic Memento frequently comes up in discussions of underrated work. However, Nolan instead pointed to his 2002 film Insomnia as the one he believes is the most overlooked.
“I’m very proud of the film. I think, of all my films, it’s probably the most underrated. The reality is it’s one of my most personal films in terms of what it was to make it. It was a very vivid time in my life. It was my first studio film, I was on location, it was the first time I’d worked with huge movie stars. That’s not really for me to say, but every now and again I meet a filmmaker and that’s actually the film that they’re interested in or want to talk about. Yeah, very proud of the film.”
—Christopher Nolan, Director
Writing Credits and the Unique Position of Insomnia in Nolan’s Filmography
Among Nolan’s extensive body of work, Insomnia stands out as the only movie for which he did not receive an official writing credit. The screenplay was penned by Hillary Seitz, marking a distinct departure from Nolan’s usual practice of co-writing his films. However, Nolan did perform rewrites on the script, a decision influenced by star Al Pacino’s input during production.
It is not uncommon for lead actors to request script changes after joining a project, and in this case, the extent to which Pacino shaped the final screenplay remains unclear. Notably, Nolan chose not to seek co-writing credit alongside Seitz, which underscores how collaborative the script development process was for this project.
Before Nolan’s involvement, Jonathan Demme was originally attached to direct Insomnia, with Harrison Ford expected to star, highlighting the film’s complex production history. Over his career, Nolan has shared writing credits on several films, including Batman Begins with David S. Goyer, and later projects co-written with his brother Jonathan Nolan such as the other Batman films and Interstellar. His streak of writing involvement is expected to continue with his upcoming epic The Odyssey.
Is Insomnia a Genuine Christopher Nolan Film?
On the surface, Insomnia differs significantly from many of Nolan’s hallmark films. As a remake of a Norwegian movie, it involved multiple creative voices and was produced early in Nolan’s career, before he had attained the creative control seen in his later blockbuster successes. Despite these differences, Nolan’s creative fingerprints are evident.
Nolan’s own account reveals a behind-the-scenes dynamic where Al Pacino’s demands influenced the screenplay, yet Nolan personally integrated those changes. The level of collaboration between actor and director demonstrates Nolan’s flexibility at this stage of his career and his commitment to the film’s vision.
Although the screenplay originated from Hillary Seitz, Nolan actively supervised rewrites, making significant contributions to the story. This input helped shape Insomnia into a project that reflected Nolan’s artistic intentions. Given his pride in the film, it is clear that Nolan embraces Insomnia as an authentic expression of his filmmaking voice.
Over time, Nolan’s later films secured him considerable authority over creative decisions, but even early on, he was influential enough to leave a distinct mark on his projects. Therefore, despite its collaborative nature and differing origins, Insomnia remains a true Christopher Nolan movie, embodying his signature attention to detail and intensity.
Notable Cast Members Bring the Story to Life
The film features powerful performances from Al Pacino and Robin Williams, whose contributions further enhance the movie’s impact. Their involvement added star power and complexity to the project, underscoring Nolan’s early experience working with renowned actors on a major studio film.
The Importance of Revisiting Nolan’s Most Underrated Work
Each new film by Christopher Nolan generates considerable excitement, but Insomnia holds a special place as a highly personal and creatively significant project in his career. Recognizing it as his most underrated movie invites audiences and critics alike to reexamine the film’s merits and appreciate the depth of Nolan’s early creative journey.
As Nolan continues to craft ambitious movies, Insomnia serves as a reminder of the director’s willingness to take creative risks and embrace collaborative challenges. Its influence lingers as Nolan moves forward with future projects, including the anticipated release of The Odyssey.
