ONE HOUR PHOTO (2002) / ***
Directed by Mark Romanek, from his screenplay. Starring Robin Williams, Connie Nielsen, Michael Vartan. Running time: 96 minutes. Rated AA for controversial subject matter by the MFCB. Reviewed on October 4th, 2002.
By SHANNON PATRICK SULLIVAN
Synopsis: The Yorkins -- Will (Vartan), Nina (Nielsen) and their son Jake (Dylan Smith) -- have been getting their pictures developed at the same place for years. They're always served by kindly Sy Parrish (Williams). But Sy has an unhealthy interest with the Yorkins. To what lengths will he go to fulfill his dream of becoming their "Uncle Sy"?
Review: Is "One Hour Photo" a thriller, as the Internet Movie Database suggests? I'm not so sure. This is not really a movie where you're left wondering if Sy Parrish is going to step out from around a corner, or if Nina Yorkin is going to lift up a cooking pot lid to discover the smashed remains of her Nikon camera. Indeed, if it were that kind of a film, "One Hour Photo" would probably be less effective. As a character study of poor, lonely, damaged Sy, it's far more creepy than most generic stalker flicks. Sy, portrayed by Williams in perfectly measured tones, is scary precisely because he's so real. "One Hour Photo" is not a movie that trades on the fear that maybe, just maybe, its villain (for want of a better word) could be lurking in your neighbourhood; rather, it's aware that somebody like Sy likely does live on your street, or maybe a street or two over. Our communities are littered with people like Sy, who just need one bad turn to nudge them over the edge. Sensibly, Romanek does not demonise Sy, and nor does he make him too sympathetic; the viewer is left to figure out his opinion of the man. And like Williams' performance, Romanek's direction is nicely balanced, putting us on the edge of weirdness without indulging. "One Hour Photo" won't give you nightmares, but it will make you think twice about, well, almost everybody.
Copyright © 2002 Shannon Patrick Sullivan. Archived at The Popcorn Gallery, http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sps/movies.html
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