ONE HOUR PHOTO
Starring:
Robin Williams, Connie Nielsen, Michael Vartan, Dylan Smith, Gary Coleman
and Eriq La Salle
Writer/Director: Mark Romanek
Running Time: 96 mins
Certificate: 15
Sy Parrish (Williams) loves photographs. The head technician at the photo shop in the local SavMart, Sy takes extra care in the images he produces as he sees photographs as the most important way of saying that you existed. Working behind the same counter for eleven years he gets to know the regulars but one family in particular he feels closer too that any other, the problem is that Connie (Nielsen) and Will (Vartan) Yorkin never see him as any more than "Sy, the photo guy".
A story of loneliness, obsession and the need to be wanted, One Hour Photo is very acted, beautifully shot but ultimately too predictable for its own good.
Robin Williams is its saving grace however, proving again that he can act when given a role that is far removed from his usual sentimental, loveable comedic manic that he seems gets pigeon holed with. Williams delivers a performance that is extremely subdued and vulnerable making you feel sorry for the character more than just thinking he is a lonely, obsessed weirdo. There is also good support from the beautiful Connie Nielsen, Gary Coleman and Michael Vartan but this is all about Williams.
Writer/Director Mark Romanek, who hasn't made a movie since Static in 1986, transforms Williams into a bland, understated person who blends into his surroundings with people only seeing him when they need their photos developed. The excessive use of white and other plain colours for the backgrounds and Williams himself, even his hair is white, every time Sy is on screen really emphasizes how the lonely can just fade away from sight.
With all this wonderful acting and cinematography it is a shame that the plot lets the movie down. Nothing new really happens and the whole thing just becomes very predictable with no real suspense and this is a crying shame, as it deserves so much more.
Fans of the more serious Robin Williams should watch his movie just for his superb performance and the rest of us should take note that there is more to this actor than over the top lovable sentimentality.
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