Sleepless

'Sleepless (2001)

AKA 'Non ho sonno'/'I Can't Sleep'

Visit the official site at www.nonhosonno.it (in Italian)

Directed by Dario Argento
Cast: Max von Sydow, Stephano Dionisi, Chiara Caselli, Roberto Zibetti, Rossella Falk...

Max plays Ulisse Moretti, a retired detective

Synopsis
A retired, insomniac detective (Max) is asked to assist in the investigation of a series of brutal murders in Turin. The killings bear the hallmarks of a murder 17 years earlier, which the detective was never able to solve.

Max
'Von Sydow does something in NonHoSonno that few Argento stars ever have and that’s actually act. The Swedish megastar centres Argento’s chiller in a truly profound way with a credible and sensitive performance as the recluse with a pet parrot his only friendly contact.'

Max is on top form as insomniac Moretti. The ending, when what appears to be a demonic-undead-dwarf shoots Max, is an homage to his death in the Exorcist; he's flat on his back after a heart attack.

Trivia
Max insisted that Moretti's parrot be called Marcello, after his friend, Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni, who he had got to know after making numerous films in Italy.

Max apparently asked Dario if he would consider another Giallo film with Moretti - Argento was apparently all for it, had it not been for Moretti's death in 'Sleepless'!

Edition

I saw the British VHS release when it first came out and also own the 2-disc Collector's Edition DVD.

The DVD edition has a number of extra features. As well as the standard theatrical trailer and stills gallery, there's the documentary 'Dario Argento: An Eye For Horror'. This is an excellent insight into Argento's method of film-making. There is some momentary footage of Max filming 'Sleepless' and of his wife, Catherine Brelet, shooting a 'Behind the Scenes' documentary.

The "Making of Featurette" is a short documentary has quite a bit on Max (perhaps his wife's influence!) which highlights the cast's awe at having the great Max von Sydow on board. Argento says only two actors were considered for the part - Max and an eminent British actor - but that Max was the right choice.

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