One Hour Photo (2002)

gripping story; slightly weak ending

This film shows Robin Williams in a shocking and effective departure from his frequent comedic roles. As Sy the Photo Guy, he obsesses unhealthily about one family whose photos he has developed for ten years, keeping a set of prints for himself and his collection every time. He intrudes further into their lives, until things start to unravel as he discovers a secret about them and also loses his job.
In the last half hour, he tries to teach one of them a lesson, then ends up with a rather contrived scene which implies some shocking things about his own childhood and how he ended up so mentally unbalanced.
The photography and production design give a polished yet sterile feel to the environments in the film, showcasing Sy's lonely, pitiful existence.
September 8, 2008

Walgreens just got very, VERY scary!

Starring the talented and ever-quotable Robin Williams, one of my favorite actors around, "One Hour Photo" is CREEPY with a capital VERY (as in, very creepy...just wanted to clarify)
Anyway, Robin plays a lonely photo-developer at a convinence store just like your local Walgreens. He's developed a family's photos for a good, ten years, and at this point, snaps off his chain like a shark off a broken fishing line.
Twenty minutes into the film, when you see him sitting in his easy chair, and his ENTIRE WALL is FULLY covered with duplicate photos of the family he's developed for ten years, I thought "OH NO! HE'S INSANE!!!".
There are many moments like that throughout the movie that'll have you mind-freaked all the way. The acting is superb, and Robin's transition from a first-rate comedy actor to a terrifying psychological horror character, goes as smooth as silk.
In fact, the last, twenty minutes of this movie are scary enough for TWO MOVIES!
Now, you may be asking yourself, what about this movie will make it so scary? My answer, among other things, is this: Robin's character, as horrifying as he is, IS SO INNOCENT!
Uncle Sy "The Photo Guy", is just a lonely, innocent character, kind of like a guy-version of Kathy Bates's character from "Misery", only Sy's got what SEEMS like an earnestly kindred spirit. And THAT'S what makes the movie stick with you!
Is Sy REALLY twisted? Or is he just a clingy, warmhearted fellow with a great, almost insane, care for the people he loves? I don't know if attempting to pull a knife on a guy is EXACTLY warmhearted, but hey, decide for yourself.
Now, the movie doesn't answer all the questions, which, admittedly, kind of bothers me. It's like in "The Shining" or "The Fog", where you're left wondering "...what the heck just happened??". But either way, "One Hour Photo" is a twisted, psychological thriller that remains an exploitive, modern masterpiece, and WILL be stuck in your head for a while. Yes, this movie STILL gives me the willies everytime I see the "1-hour Photo" sign on my local Walgreens!
Anyway, I highly encourage this to all fans of psychological horror movies, and horror movies in general. Heck, if you're a Robin Williams fans, as well. Just DON'T expect the hilariousness or sadness in "Patch Adams". This movie is CREEPY! Thanks for the time, and peace. August 21, 2008

Creepfest.

One Hour Photo is a psychological thriller starring Robin Williams. Williams gives a creepy but brilliant performance as a photo shop worker who becomes obsessed with the "perfect" family. Michael Vartan and Connie Nielsen also star. The ending is a bit choppy but I liked this film, edgy and provocative. I highly recommend it! June 1, 2008

Scary photo

This is a fine film, which along with 'Insomnia' marked a sudden change in what we expect from Robin Williams. Unlike quite a few people I've always though he was a good actor. You really can't argue about his performances in 'Good Morning Vietnam' or 'The Fisher King'. However I'll concede he has made some some turkeys in his time!

'One Hour Photo' is something completely different. Williams plays Sy, a photo technician in a large store. He's a loner who leads a pretty sad life and who gradully becomes obessed with a family who he regularly develops photos for.

The film develops quickly and there isn't really a wasted minute. Its well scripted, and directed with some style by Mark Romanek. This is a great example to many Hollywood filmmakers of what can be acheived through character development, rather than the unneccessary use of CGI special effects.

At only 91 minutes in length this is film that in many ways stands up to comparison with Alfred Hitchcocks work. OK its not as good as his very best, but its not far off that standard.
November 16, 2007

SMILE and say CHEESE? NO! SMILE and say BLOOD!!!!!!

Robin Williams gives a CREEPY performance in this SCARY
suspense thriller. Robin plays Sy Parrish a very lonely
man who wants nothing more than to be part of a perfect
family. ENTER THE YORKINS! The husband and wife have
that perfect smile and have a son who does no wrong.
Sy has developed their pic. since the birth of their son.
11yrs. total,but when the husband cheats on his wife that
is when this movie kicks into SCARY gear! For Sy does not
like that and what Sy does not like.........
This is a very good movie and easily one of Robin's best
performances(I prefer Robin controlled in his movies like
this and the brilliant World According to Garp as oppose
to the yelling obnoxious Good Morning Vietnam roles) There
are very SPOOKY moments for me in this movie. And for GORE
hounds where else can you see Robin's eyes popping out
with tons of blood I'll tell ya! In this movie. One
Hour Photo is Scary because unlike Frankenstein and
the Wolf Man there are Sy's out there. I really
enjoyed this movie and thought the supporting cast especially
the actor who plays Robin's Boss did a fine job. The most
SCARIEST part for me was not shown in the film. But I could
not help but keep asking myself during the movie WHAT HAPPENED
TO SY TO BE LIKE THIS? I mean he had to have had a mother
what happened to her? A father? It is never explained
and I feel that is a good thing. I'm one who loves
guts and arteries thrown in my face. But I can also appreciate
the not seeing and not knowing as well. One Hour Photo
I am proud to own and have in my HAUNTING coll. of DVD'S.
October 23, 2007

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