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One Hour Photo [2002] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
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Director and screenwriter Mark Romanek, previously best known for his Nine Inch Nails and Madonna music videos, has made a stylish, distinctive entry into the world of mainstream movies; the film combines an ever-intensifying sense of menace with some unconventional shocks that never descend into clichés. Refreshingly, the film is presented from Parrish's point of view rather than the Yorkins', and it's a real (if disquieting) treat to see Williams ditch his usual bumbling buffoon character and get another meaty role to sink his teeth into. Eschewing the formulas and devices of the standard thriller with bleak effectiveness, One Hour Photo is a far more intelligent proposition than most of its peers--though it may be a disappointment to those expecting visceral thrills. On the DVD: One Hour Photo's beautifully austere photography and skilful use of colour translates excellently to the DVD's anamorphic widescreen format. The stylish menu screens have a photo-processing theme with stills and film footage; the extras comprise an informative and often amusing commentary from Romanek and Williams, a 25-minute Sundance Channel "Anatomy of a Scene" feature, a 12-minute Cinemax featurette, and an in-depth and entertaining half-hour interview with director and star from New York's acclaimed Charlie Rose show. The film is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and both movie and commentary are subtitled in English only. --Rikki Price
Our Price: £5.14 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
One Hour Photo marks Robin Williams' third film running as the bad guy, following on from Insomnia and the straight-to-video (in the UK) Death to Smoochy. It's also his most chilling role to date. Playing "photo guy" Sy Parrish, obsessed by the seemingly perfect family who are his most regular customers, he paints a desperate image of a lonely, fanatical man whose only comfort lies in imagining himself a part of the lives of the wealthy, happy Yorkins family (headed by Connie Nielsen). Devastated by being fired from his job at the processing lab, and making a shocking discovery on his exit, he descends into psychosis.
one hour... wasted?
Review date: 2008-07-24 Rating: 6 out of 10
Any film that moves slowly AND ends abruptly probably isnt worth your time. These are the problems with One Hour Photo. However it does have its qualities, such as Robin Williams' terrific performance as lonely photo-desk clerk, Si, as well as the originality of the plot.
While Si is well drawn, and his situation is conveyed brilliantly (anyone who's worked in a supermarket perhaps knows someone like Si, and deffinately will know someone like Si's supervisor) the movie is let down by the shallowness of other characters and the slowness of the plot; The seemingly happy family Si becomes attached to (by living vicariously through their photos) arnt on screen enough, we don't know how they're feeling besides what their basic facial reactions show. As far as plot goes the problem is the story is about Si's mental state, rather than a series of key events so it will move slowly for some. Before you know it the final couple of scenes are upon you, and the credits roll before you feel as if anything has been truely resolved.
Overall, i'd steer clear. A poor script and generally standard acting are saved only by another great performance by Robin Williams and the sheer originality, which is why it got the 3 stars.
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Reviews
poisonous photos
Review date: 2008-06-16 Rating: 8 out of 10
I think Robin Williams has specialised in a sort of films about a sweet goodness surrounding the drama I don't taste. But this is different.
And it's curious, because perhaps I see more than is shown in screen, but although the external form has nothing in common with films as "Mystic River" or the terrible "Sleepers" with Robert de Niro, I think at bottom there are a similar problem with Sy, the unfortunate protagonist.
Sy isn't a violent criminal or... still he isn't as his facts warns the police about a man who is a potential danger.
Sy has a modest work in a supermarket, developing photos in an automatic machine, a task that requires some precision and care, but isn't comparable to do artistic professional photograph. Sy is a man possibly underestimated in his abilities, but he has chosen surely that dumb work and he truly doesn't want more. He's capable to do these routine work with any problem as his intelligence is normal and possibly, high.
But his personality isn't entirely normal. Sy isn't I think a cruel, dangerous personage as these from "Cape Fear" or "Psycho", but it seems after the police interrogatory he has suffered some sexual abuse in his childhood. So, he has attained a middle age but he follows in being affectively a child and lives alone. He projects his non-existent affective life in some of the photographs he steals sometimes, preferably from families or people he thinks have a lucky life. As time and years passes, this constitute an amount of hundreds of unexplainably disappeared photos. This is discovered by his boss and he's dismissed. From that moment he becomes possibly a more dangerous antisocial man, as these happenings in life constitute a disgraceful sum for these unfortunate people. A good film from an actor with little doubt worried with social preoccupation for children and a sober, very good interpretation he usually don't use to do.
A Very Sad and Thought-provoking Film
Review date: 2008-05-01 Rating: 10 out of 10
This film stars Robin Williams, in one of his rare serious roles, as 'Sai', a photo-technician who works in a large supermarket, and becomes fixated by a young couple and their son, Jake.
Williams' aching torment and yearning to be part of a loving family unit is very affecting, and sometimes very sad, but also sometimes very creepy. The sight of an entire wall of his house covered in photos of the young family is enough to let the viewer know that he isn't mentally stable, as is his frequent appearances at places where a member of the family happen to be. Yet initially, there is no sense of threat; only the dreams of a man who craves love and closeness.
Things take a turn for the worse, however, when Sai is sacked from his job and is consumed by malevolence. At the same time, he discovers that the Father in the family he is obsessed by is having an affair. This sparks an intense fury in Sai, and the results are dramatic, to say the least.
This film is an excellent study in loneliness, and the things it can do to a person. It also shows acutely just how horribly a mind can unravel, and how quickly. Ultimately though, this film is sad, rather than scary. Sad because it shows how a person so damaged by a bad childhood can spend a lifetime wishing for love, wishing to matter, and never find it. The saddest thing about this film is that in many ways, it's actually pretty realistic.
A film worthy of wider exposure!
Review date: 2008-02-09 Rating: 8 out of 10
A good thriller with a great performance by Robin Williams showing he can do more than funny voices! He plays the role of a strange, creepy photo developer who makes up for his lack of family and friends by thinking of himself as an uncle to a family whose photo's he develops. Quite a strange film with a bit of a twist towards the end. A very haunting, thought provoking film.
Robin Williams without the wackiness
Review date: 2007-12-24 Rating: 10 out of 10
One Hour Photo is a film of supreme caliber. The film is powered by the haunting, chilling, silencing, and above all-genius performance by Robin Williams. But the rather extraordinary thing is that it is not Robin Williams on the screen, it's Sy Parish (the character's name). Robin Williams fades away from our senses and slips into the ever so sweet and innocent yet psychotic role of a supermarket's photo developer. The films script is only accented by Williams, at times, restrained performance. Williams ignites on the screen and burns till the last frame, and you are unable to take your eyes off him. As I mentioned the film is subliminally written as well as directed. Though being Romanek's first, I certainly don't think this is a bad start. Romanek's direction adds to the on-going tension throughout the film. More affecting is Williams' delightful calmness. Trying to hold himself in becomes more troublesome for both Williams and his character as the story develops. Yet through the calm eyes of an innocent blaze the fires of hatred and intensity, which could very well sum up Williams' performance. The film does have some disturbing images as well. Yet they are not really strong enough for you to get up from your seat and leave yet rather the opposite. Williams' contribution as well as guidance towards the actions and scenes of peril compell as well as amaze you towards both the performance and film itself. Williams' shocking contribution to the screen is enough to make you cry, scream, and yell in your seat. Because the origins of the character are bittersweet just like own known Williams, leads to a crazed and psychotic breakdown. It's as if watching our own funny and beloved Robin fail us. Though the truth could not be any further, Williams but succeeds in the art of acting, creating an achievement in the field.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Connie Nielsen
Gary Cole
Michael Vartan
Robin Williams
Eriq La Salle
Creators:
Gary Cole (Primary Contributor)
Eriq La Salle (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: 20th Century Fox
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
EAN: 0024543062165
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Colour, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC, Widescreen,
Release date: 2003-02-18
Universal product code (UPC): 024543062165
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Region code: 1
Running time: 96 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2002-09-13
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: French (Original Language)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Dubbed)