Is A Rifle for Sleeping Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1997)

📖 The Core Premise

A Rifle for Sleeping stands as a 1997 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the Crime, Thriller landscape. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Janko, a police officer/veteran of the war, who is suffering from insomnia caused by post-traumatic stress disorder, now works as a guard in front of the Russian embassy in Zagreb. Having abandoned his former paramour, the daughter of his police chief, he marries a kleptomaniacal hairdresser named Nana, whom he once caught in the act of picking pockets. He then embarks on an affair with the beautiful Marta, the widow of the war profiteer Dragutin Karlo Stajner, who has left behind him a bankrupted firm, a worthless limousine, several bastards, and at least one angry woman. While Janko and Marta persistently try to divvy up what loot remains before any number of others can claim it, Karlo unexpectedly turns up alive and jumps into the middle of a fray between Marta; Karlo's lover, Julija, a Czech bar-singer; and Julija's husband Vlado, a former henchman of Karlo's who is now trying to lay claim to Stajner's limo."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Unfortunately, Rene Medvešek feels underutilized in a role that lacks depth. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Crime. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is A Rifle for Sleeping worth your time? If you appreciate Crime, Thriller films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, A Rifle for Sleeping misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 116 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.