ViewGuide

Created Sep 21, 2011 10:19PM PST • Edited Sep 21, 2011 10:19PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Good 3.0

   Robin Williams stars as Seymour “Sy the Photo Guy” Parrish. Sy is a kind, somewhat awkward, and yet pretty likable photo technician who’s been working at a supermarket’s one hour photo outlet for about twenty years. However, there is one catch to it all: Sy is a teency bit of a creeper. In fact, he becomes obsessed with a family who stops by from time to time. He idealizes this family to the point where he sees them as the perfect family. But when he learns that trouble is brewing in their lives, his image of them is broken and he feels that he is the only one who can save them by becoming more involved in their lives.

   The first time I saw One Hour Photo, I didn’t make it all the way through. However, I decided to watch it again later on, and I gotta say, I was very much creeped out and yet very impressed. I wouldn’t call this a film I would want to watch again and again, but I do commend it on being a very effective and very suspenseful thriller and leans towards “lonely man” movies like Taxi Driver.

   Robin Williams steals the show as Sy. He makes gives us a believable character who, while unbelievably creepy, is almost sympathetic. Williams has always proved to have a wide range. This is obvious in films like Good Will Hunting, Dead Poets Society, and Awakenings. He establishes that fact with this film. I was actually surprised to hear that director Mark Romanek’s first choice for the role was Jack Nicholson. I love Jack, but even I don’t think he could top Williams. Williams MADE the movie. The other actors all did commendable supporting work.

   The film is completely unpredictable, which is especially good because it helps the suspense build and build even further. It brings you to the point where your at the edge of your seat and even to the point of covering your eyes and thinking “Oh God, are they gonna do this or…” Unfortunately, though, the creepyness of the film also brings the film down a little bit. It makes the movie somewhat unenjoyable and it’s not something you would ever want to watch again. Just one time is really enough to leave an impact on you.

   One Hour Photo is a good thriller that will keep you biting your nails in anticipation of ever unpredictable scene. The film lies on Robin Williams’ shoulders and he brings it every time. While it’s not a movie you would want to watch all the time, it’s still one you should definitely see.

4. Acting

   Very Good 3.5

5. Male Stars Really Great 4.5

6. Female Stars Very Good 3.5

7. Female Costars OK 2.5

8. Male Costars Good 3.0

10. Film

    Good 3.0

11. Direction Good 3.0

12. Play Good 3.0

13. Music Very Good 3.5

14. Visuals Very Good 3.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Sordid 3.3

17. Sex Lewd 4.0

18. Violence Brutal 3.0

19. Rudeness Profane 3.0

21. Reality

    Glib 1.3

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.3

23. Biological Glib 1.3

24. Physical Glib 1.3