Review of One Hour Photo (2002) by Stuart K — 30 Apr 2010
Written and directed by music video director Mark Romanek, his first film in 17 years since Static (1985). It's a very brooding and dark thriller, something Hitchcock would probabily have done if he'd still been with us.
But, the best thing about it is a creepy and unsettling turn from it's star, playing against type after being known then for sentimental films. It has photo lab technician Seymour "Sy" Parrish (Robin Williams) who works in the photo processing lab of a big supermarket.
One of his regular customers are the Yorkin family, who are husband Will (Michael Vartan), wife Nina (Connie Nielsen), and their son Jake (Dylan Smith). He's developed a good acquaintanceship with the family over the years, but it turns out Sy's got an unhealthy obsession with the family.
And has been making extra prints of the family for years, and Sy becomes obsessed with the family, wanting to be part of it, and even stalking them. But, he soon discovers all is not what it seems with the family, and Will is being unfaithful, so Sy decides to see to that.
This is a very unsettling film, and what makes it all the more scary is that there's people like this in the world today. Williams played brilliantly against type here, and saw a brief step into bad-guy roles with this, Insomnia (2002) and Death to Smoochy (2002).
It's a pity he didn't keep it up, he showed great confidence with it, and why hasn't Mark Romanek made more films??
This review of One Hour Photo (2002) was written by Stuart K on 30 Apr 2010.
One Hour Photo has generally received positive reviews.
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