Why Christopher Nolan’s First Studio Film Remains His Most Underrated Work (Acknowledged by Nolan Himself)

Christopher Nolan’s inaugural project for a major Hollywood studio continues to be viewed as the most underrated film in his impressive oeuvre—a sentiment he himself endorses. Since the release of his landmark Batman reboot, Nolan has become a titan in the film industry, drawing audiences to theaters like few others can. Alongside Quentin Tarantino, both directors have achieved the rare status where their names alone hold the power to attract mass viewership. Remarkably, Nolan succeeded in turning a three-hour biographical account of a physicist into a blockbuster hit, as evident with Oppenheimer, which emerged as the highest-grossing film outside the Batman franchise, ranking third overall in his career.

As one of the few directors capable of securing nine-figure budgets for intellectually challenging original stories, Nolan has established a strong rapport with Warner Bros. This relationship has allowed him to finance ambitious projects like Inception, Interstellar, and Tenet with the same financial backing as traditional comic book adaptations. His upcoming film—a star-studded rendition of The Odyssey—is reported to have an astonishing budget of $250 million. However, long before Nolan was entrusted with the Batman legacy, he showcased his potential for compelling storytelling through his first major film production.

Insomnia: Nolan’s Breakthrough Studio Film

Transitioning from Indie to Major Studio Success

Nolan’s directorial journey commenced with an independent film, Following, which was crafted on a minimal budget using 16mm film, available light, and uncredited actors. This project garnered a positive reception, paving the way for his next endeavor—a psychological thriller titled Memento. Although possessing improved production value and featuring more prominent actors, Memento remained a modest indie project financed by a private production entity.

The success of Memento, which cultivated a passionate cult following through film festivals, opened the door for Nolan into the world of studio filmmaking in 2002, when he collaborated with Warner Bros. to direct an English-language adaptation of the 1997 Norwegian thriller, Insomnia. Set against the backdrop of the icy Alaskan wilderness, Insomnia is a gripping tale of cat-and-mouse featuring Al Pacino as a weary detective and Robin Williams in an atypical role as a psychopathic killer. Despite its notable attributes, Insomnia remains one of Nolan’s least celebrated films, a fact that he acknowledges.

Nolan’s Perspective on the Underrated Status of Insomnia

“One of My Most Personal Films”

Al Pacino talks to Robin Williams in Insomnia

While films like Dunkirk and The Dark Knight have earned considerable acclaim, Insomnia has not received the recognition it deserves. Christopher Nolan, in Tom Shone’s book The Nolan Variations, expressed his pride in this work, asserting, “I think, of all my films, it’s probably the most underrated. […] The reality is it’s one of my most personal films.” Although Nolan didn’t receive a screenplay credit for Insomnia, he heavily influenced the script, leaving a unique imprint on this compelling narrative.

Source & Images