Rating: Summary: Sterile Review: Robin Williams is a very talented performer. He has engaged audiences as the voice of an animated genie, and portrayed memorable characters in films ranging from, "Mrs. Doubtfire, to The Fisher King, Hamlet, and Good Will Hunting". There is not a funnier stand up comedian, and recently he has played characters that audiences have never seen from him, both in, "Insomnia", and now in, "One Hour Photo". His character in this film is interesting because he plays the role, but for a creepier Robin Williams go see, "Insomnia".I read somewhere that people were comparing this film to those of Hitchcock. The only people that could suggest this comparison are people who have never seen a Hitchcock film. There is nothing clever or even particularly unnerving in this film. When the end arrives, the main character of Sy has done nothing that will keep him in police custody for more than a few hours. Much of the audience would have cheered him on had he been less forcibly odd. If fluorescent lighting and a dull monotonous color palette of the inside of the world's most antiseptically clean discount store appeals to you, then you may like this film. The film is shallow and cliché and this is best demonstrated when ocular bleeding occurs for Sy, his life is all about the visual. Devastatingly clever huh? This film would not have been made without Robin Williams, and even with him it will not be memorable.
Rating: Summary: Best Actor Oscar Robin Williams/Best Screenplay Mark Romanek Review: One Hour Photo is a high caliber psychological drama starring Robin Williams in his best performance to date. Here Robin's latest non-comedic role is that of Sy the Photo Guy, a friendless, familyless worker at a One Hour Photo shop whose abused childhood is about to catch up with him. He insinuates himself into the Yorkin family whom he developes film for, going so far as to read a Deepak Chopra book because he glimpses it in Nina Yorkin's (Connie Nielsen's) bag. The book quote he gives her gives a strong clue to the film's true theme, "What we fear most already happened". Sy sees the Yorkins as the ideal family that he never had, making extra sets of their photos to put on his wall. Throughout we get an ominous humming background soundtrack a la Safe as well as a violin motif borrowed from Requiem for a Dream (borrowed from Laurie Anderson). This film has been compared to Taxi Driver, but more appropriate comparison would be Midnight Cowboy. The parallel to Joe Buck's isolation and naivetee, his disconnection with the TV and radio shows he watches/listens to for example is strikingly similar. And both films are a subjective jump into the character's isolation, demons, and emotions. Sy's lid on those demons is blown when he sees photo evidence of Will Yorkin's (Michael Vartan's) infidelity...and gets fired by a fascist boss (Gary Cole). Detective Van Der Zee (Eriq La Salle) serves as liaison between Sy and the audience, as he tries to grasp what we try to. One significant hint is when he says, "Well he knew that Yoshi (Paul Kim) would come to you and you would call us", i.e. Sy set up this elaborate plan to get caught (to get attention). And finally in cathartic release acts out his own abuse, his abusive father taking him over. Then the regression to the ideal childhood, hence the photos of objects a la Jake's photos. Importantly we don't know all this until the end, when he explains it to the detective...in a manner that can easily go over the heads of a mainstream audience. What sums up Sy's tortured world best is the shock registered on the expression of Maya (Erin Daniels). Keep your eyes peeled for any Academy politics that would prevent deserved Oscars for Robin Williams and Mark Romanek.
Rating: Summary: Snapshot Was First Used As A Hunting Term Review: What a great line from a great movie. I saw this film on a Saturday and I was expecting the same great acting that Robin Williams served up in 'Insomnia' and a okay thiller movie. What I got was much more. By the time the credits finished rolling, 'One Hour Photo' was my favorite movie. I saw a possiblity of nine Oscars. Best Picture; If this movie doesn't get at least a Best Piture nod, I will have offically filled the Oscars in the catergory as the People Choice Awards, Teen Choice Awards, American Movie Awards, and all those other meaningless award shows. Best Director: Mark Romanek; Through watching the movie, I could tell that Romanek really cared about the project and he really showed what movies are supposed to be. Best Actor: Robin Williams; If he doesn't get this award it will be the Academy's biggest mistake since bypassing Jim Carrey's proformance in 'The Truman Show'. Williams' protrayl of Sy Parrish is one of the greatest things he has ever done, if not the best. Sorry Hanks, but Williams has proved that he is the best actor this year. Best Original Screenplay; This movie proves my idea that any storyline can make a great movie. Heck, with great writing you could turn American Pie in to a Best Picture. The way the story is written really breaks out of the typical triller mold. Best Set Design; The use of colors in this picture is one word: FLAWLESS. The Sav-Mart is remarkably constructed Best Costume Designing; The costumes went hand-in-hand with the great colors in the set. Best Score; The music is tense when it's needed, subtle when needed, but always fit for the scene. Best Make-up; The only thing make-up related was Sy's hair, but it worked in with the puzzle that is his character. Best Visual Effects; Just like the make-up, there was only one effect related scene, the bleeding 'Red Eye' scene. However, the effect didn't look hoax-y or fake. There you go people. If you haven't seen this movie, run as fast you can to the closest theater playing this emotionally charged thiller. But seeing as how it is limited release, it could be severeal miles to the closest theater playing it.
Rating: Summary: Shop smart shop savmart!! Review: By far the best film of 2002 .Wake up hollywood why can't you make more films like this? Mr. Williams my hat is off to you sir, excellent performance.I would love to see come oscar time this little gem come away with a piece of oscar.I think what makes this film work so well is just the thought that the lovable charismatic Robin Williams is so dark in his inner self but is just so perfect as your everyday photo developer and my opinion really is very likable as the character sy.I feel sorry for the sy character and it makes you still feel sorry for the character after the credits roll.Eriq Lasalle from the tv show E.R.has a brief stint as the cop assigned to the goings on as well does Gary Cole as Sy's Store baddy manager.This movie deserves a much wider release than it has been given.I would like to see robin Williams pop up as baddy everyso often just please hollywood do not typecast this underrated actor.Go see it you will be glad you did!
Rating: Summary: Ho hum Review: Just another 'one-man-show'.If you like seeing 100 different close-ups of Robin William's dead-pan mug...then enjoy. This was another in a long list of'bigger-than-life' images of a man caught up with his own gradeur. As usual Williams smothers anything resembling cast and/or storyline. Stay home.
Rating: Summary: Robin Williams Get's better! Review: I've seen almost every Robin Williams movie and I must say that this guy is a genius! When I first saw Insomnia... I never thought he could put another character over like he did in that movie but in ONE HOUR PHOTO he surprised me. He plays a character named Sy.. Who is a very lonely, sad guy that doesn't have anything waiting for him in life except pictures and of course this particular family that he stalks. This movie is great... some might like it some might not, but I must say this is one of the best works that he has ever done. I literally almost started to cry for this Sy character that Robin Williams portrays. This movie is a must see! Oh and by the ways this movie is not a thriller or a horror... it's pure drama!!!
Rating: Summary: One Hour Photo Review: Very painfully slow. I fell asleep and when I woke up,nothing had happened.
Rating: Summary: Best Character Development I've Seen In Awhile! Review: This movie was wonderful. By far one of the best character developments I have ever seen in a movie. The entire movies goes in-depth to portray the psychology and sociology of the characters and the enviroment they are surrounded in. It actually mimics the modern way of life we see every day. On one hand the industrious, wealthy family and *mart where you can purchase everything and the store. The other side is the cleanliness and stark existence our modern habits and technological roles have given us. I really would like Williams to recieve an Oscar out of this. More importantly I would like to see the entire movie get oscars as well; director, cinematgraphy, best actor and best script. My last take is on the ending. Without trying to spoil the movie I will say REMEMBER this person is the stereotypical loner but do you really see any violence from and leading up to the end? I believe, unlike some critics, that the ending closely matched Williams personality in the movie and anything different would have belied the entire revealing process and results of his nature. It's meaning was ironic and sublime. It actually transcended the intention of "payback's a [female dog]"
Rating: Summary: Robin Williams creepiest role ever!!! Review: When I went into this movie, I expected something completely different. I knew that Robin Williams was going to act insane, but the way this film turned out was beyond my imagination. It was incredible. Even though it was an Independent film, it is one of my favorites this year...
Rating: Summary: Robin Williams is Brilliant, Many Great Setups Go Nowhere. Review: Robin Williams is captivating in another display of his acting bandwidth. The photography and casting was first rate. But the story had several great setups that didn't really go anywhere. A premise was setup, suspense was built, only to spin off in a new direction. Several story arcs were cut off short. I was disappointed.
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