Review of One Hour Photo (2002) by Adrian Z — 02 Sep 2014

I've been meaning to watch this for some time and the recent passing of Robin Williams gave me a nudge in the ribs. I found One Hour Photo to be compelling and this is in the main because of Williams's performance. He is intense and certainly gets across a sense of loneliness that I couldn't help but feel sorry for. My overriding emotion towards his character Sy was not disgust or hatred but instead more pity and however misguided his actions I did see his point.

Sy is a photo developer for a Wall Mart style chain and has been so for over a decade. He is a solitary character whose job gives him a unique insight into the lives of others. This ranges from mad old bats who take photos of their cats and men who take pictures of their lovers in compromising positions. Possibly to fill the void in his own life he involves himself in the life of one family who are regular customers to the point where he stalks them and try's all kinds of methods to worm his way into the families affections. Through his job he learns of a betrayal within that family that tips him over the edge and leads him to behave in an inappropriate manner.

The subject matter will not be to everyone's tastes and some might find it a little disturbing. Williams is excellent as Sy and it seemed to me that life and people in general got some kind of perverse pleasure out of figuratively kicking him in the privates. His boss for example clearly had a dislike for him and I felt he enjoyed twisting the knife when firing him from a job that Sy not only loved but was everything to him. Maybe that's one moral of the story, be kind to those less fortunate than you or face the possible consequences. I can certainly understand the notion of those who are privileged not always appreciating what they have and how from the outside looking in its those who perhaps don't deserve it who get the breaks? I guess maybe its human nature to want something we don't have and the Sy's of this world are destined to be denied a love that they would respect and cherish if they had it.