The Movie Diorama
Whoa. I mean, I actually felt uncomfortable watching this. I kept fidgeting! The whole premise and the realism of it just affected me greatly. This isn't just a typical psychological thriller where a crazy guy goes crazy and does crazy things. This is an intelligent study of a character who's loneliness and solitude has driven him to stalking a family. A photograph printer who sees into the lives of those that are within these pictures, he is able to imagine himself being in them. He clearly narrates that photographs are always taken on happy occasions, and never on the events that we wish to forget. I found that to be rather poignant. All he ever desired was to be loved or wanted, and yet he just existed. His days are just routines, his life being lived in the clinical colours of beige. So very monotonous. Another great narration was the etymology of the word "snapshot" which he said was a hunting term. A guy, with a camera, taking snapshots, of children. Powerful, absolutely compelling. Robin Williams yet again proved he was able to steer away from his typecast comedic roles and endeavour in more psychologically challenging performances. He was outstanding. The supporting cast were fine but Williams owned this whole film. Creepy yet with an undertone of melancholia. You can see how the screenplay manages to convince the audience that his mental state is of depression. We don't hate him, we actually sympathise instead. So many terrifying scenes, not in terms of horror but how realistically possible these scenarios are. Your child talking to a stranger and buying them gifts. A stranger waiting outside your house everyday. These stalker-like behaviour traits is ever so apparent in the current world. That's what makes this film so powerful. Realism. I wish we could've explored Sy "the photo guy's" past, I'm sure it would've been fascinating. It may not be a blockbuster thriller, but this little gem is one of Robin Williams' best performances.
Alan Smithee Esq.
A perfect example of an obsession gone awry. The technology may be dated but it's still a twisted little movie. The late great Robin William's best dramatic role. Most of the film is bright and beautiful to watch but the underlying tone is dark and disturbing. One of the all time best psychological thrillers.
FilmBuff1994
One Hour Photo is a great movie with a very well developed plot and a terrific cast. It is a thrilling story as we follow the psychotic character, rather than the characters dealing with him. Sye works in a photo lab and soon becomes obsessed with a family, sending a shiver down your spine as he daydreams about them and eventually brings his feelings to action.However, I did feel the story did not go as far as it could have. We never see Sye break down entirely, we are anticipating something huge, but it never really comes. It's never goes as far as it seems to want have. Robin Williams completely transforms himself in to this role, embodying this sociopathic man looked so easy for him. Despite the fact he had never played a character anything like him previously, he is chilling and not one bit funny.What I really took away from this film was how effective a performance is in creating a likable character. Sye may be a man with no remorse for human privacy or emotion, we feel empathy towards him and his struggles as a result of an effective performance. Thrilling and well acted, One Hour Photo s a worth the watch if you are looking for a good drama or thriller. An employee at a photo lab soon begins an unhealthy obsession with a local family. Best Performance: Robin Williams
KineticSeoul
This is a underrated psychological thriller about a one-hour photo lab worker named Sy that is obsessed with a family, that he develops photos for. Now what really drives this movie, is how it delves into Sy's mindset and what makes him tick. Now Robin Williams did a phenomenal job playing this character. He was believable as a psycho and yet still carried that teddy bear vibe, if that makes sense. Robin Williams played another role where he plays a psychopath during the same year, in the movie "Insomnia". But there is more sympathy for his character in this one, because despite it not really delving into his backstory. You as an audience member can sense where the character is coming from. Near the end, the plot seemed to drag slightly but that is only a small gripe. Besides that this is a existential and in-depth movie that deals with loneliness and memories. How some memories we try to hold onto while others we learn from it but want to forget. And how this can have an effect on a person. Overall, this is a worthy watch especially because of Robin Williams performance.7.6/10
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