Insomnia: A review!

Insomnia: Robbie Robertson and Martin Scorsese, brothers in storytelling.

 

In Insomnia, Robbie Robertson takes the reader on a very fascinating, behind-the-scenes journey into his personal and professional life at the tail end of the 1970's through early 1980's.

 

"The Last Waltz" concert was over. Robbie's marriage was in trouble. He was feeling an ever-growing disconnect with his fellow musical "brothers" in The Band. Just what did the future hold for him?

 

It seems like Martin Scorsese and Robbie were destined to become great friends. "Marty," as Robbie knew him, was also at a similar juncture in his life. It's really interesting to see how they came together to forge their creative partnership as the book progresses. It's one that lasted until Robertson's passing in 2023.

 

Obviously, Scorsese was first brought in to film and direct "The Last Waltz," which really set the stage for these two gentlemen to find a common bond - their shared love of cinema. But above all - the art of storytelling.

 

Take a picture of this: Marty offers Robbie a place to live, so he moves in with him. There are many, many late nights in the home's screening room. Sometimes, Jack Nicholson is there. Francis Ford Coppola comes by. He even prepares a fantastic pasta dinner for them as he thinks they are getting too skinny and need to eat more. Some of these moments are just priceless. Joe Pesci even makes a few appearances in the book. When he does, although brief, it's memorable and amusing.

 

There are lots of other big names who appear in this book. Akira Kurosawa, Robert DeNiro, and Sophia Loren are just some of the many luminaries

who they cross paths with. Robertson gets to know DeNiro pretty well, and it is cool to hear about him at that stage of his career and his dedication to his role in the classic "Raging Bull."

 

Insomnia is packed with such great behind-the-scenes information that really makes the book so worthwhile.

 

Robertson really opens up even more in this book than he did in 2016's memoir "Testimony," and it's refreshing to see. He was always a great storyteller, and you feel like he's in the room with you sharing these recollections.

 

For fans of The Band, the other members do get some coverage in this book as it does address the post-production work needed and additional segments to be added for completion of The Last Waltz. There is definitely some behind-the-scenes information related to them during this time period that was new to me. 

 

But this story is not all about The Band. Ultimately, it's a tale of friendship and the strong bond that unites both Robertson and Scorsese.

 

Insomnia is a thoroughly-enjoyable read, and I highly recommend it not only for any fans of Scorsese and Robertson's work together and apart, but for any cinema lovers.

Insomnia comes out November 11, 2025 via Crown Publishing Group.