Genres: Drama | Thriller Countries: USA Actors: Robin Williams Sy Parrish Connie Nielsen Nina Yorkin Michael Vartan Will Yorkin Dylan Smith Jake Yorkin Erin Daniels Maya Burson Paul H. Kim Yoshi Araki Lee Garlington Waitress Gary Cole Bill Owens Marion Calvert Mrs. Von Unwerth David Moreland Mr. Siskind Directors: IMDB Rating: 7 out of 10 (30831 votes)

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“One Hour Photo” is one of those films that springs from an interesting, original premise and then doesn’t know what to do with itself once it’s halfway complete. The thought of a lonely guy behind the photo counter at a convenience store watching one particular family as they progress from newlyweds to young parents, imagining himself as a beloved uncle, carrying on a twisted secret life wrapped around his make-believe involvement in their lives, is an incredibly chilling prospect and the set-up for what should have been a captivating, suspenseful movie. Unfortunately, what’s on the screen isn’t nearly as riveting as expected.

As the creepy Sav-Mart photo clerk, Seymour ‘Sy’ Parrish, Robin Williams puts aside his manic personality and gets under the skin of this deeply disturbed character. The physical transformation of Williams into Sy is eerie. It’s still obviously Robin Williams, however the yellow thinning hair and pasty complexion affected by Williams add to the off-kilter feeling you get viewing Sy going about his photo processing job.

Sy’s life revolves around processing perfect photos for his cherished customers, including his favorite customers - the Yorkin family. He takes meticulous care of each photo to the point of obsessing over the minutest mistakes in color and tint. Not only does he cherish each photo, he cherishes the subjects of the photos. In his mind, he is a much-loved member of the Yorkin clan and he’ll do anything to protect ‘his’ family. When he discovers someone in the household is hiding a secret that could tear the family apart, Sy feels it is his duty to expose the traitor and save the day.

Despite outstanding performances by Robin Williams, Connie Nielsen (Nina Yorkin), Michael Vartan (Will Yorkin) and Gary Cole (Sy’s boss, Bill Owens), “One Hour Photo” is a thriller without the thrill. Though the film makes the best case yet for purchasing a digital camera, it never dishes up the thrills and chills. Instead, it’s an almost frustrating film to watch as it serves up one underdeveloped plot line after another.

Rebecca Murray
Hollywood Movies Guide

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