Film Review: ONE HOUR PHOTO (2002)

Writer/Director: Mark Romanek
Running time: 92 mins (approx)
Certificate (UK): 15

Genre: Drama/Psychological Thriller
UK Release Date: 4^th October 2002

Watched on Sky+ Monday 31^st May 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: POSSIBLE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I have always admired Robin Williams as a comedian and as a comic actor. He has equally impressed me in a dramatic role, and, to me, this is one of his finest performances of this type. The trouble with someone like Williams is that he has a famous (or infamous if you like) past and you tend to remember him for those things. But if you can see the character beyond the actor then you’re most likely going to enjoy the performance a lot more.

Seymour Parrish works in the one hour photo processing department of the SavMart store. He has worked there for many years and has seen many customers come and go, but one family, the Yorkin’s have been coming back for ten years. They are Nina and Will and their nine year old son Jakob. Unfortunately for them, Seymour, or Sy as he prefers to be called, has become very attached to them through their photos over the years. So much so that he even fantasises about being a member of this perfect family. After an unfortunate event at work and while processing some photos Sy discovers that the Yorkin’s are not as perfect as he imagined. As you can probably imagine, this does not go down too well with Sy. I won’t say any more so as not to give any spoilers.

A really well made film that I found quite atmospheric in places. A great performance from Robin Williams as Seymour Parrish, I really felt he nailed the part! Also worthy of note were; Connie Nielsen as Nina Yorkin, Michael Vartan as Will Yorkin, Dylan Smith as Jakob Yorkin, Erin Daniels as Maya Burson and Gary Cole as Bill Owens.

There is a really great commentary all about photographs and what they mean to people that follows through the first two thirds of the film. It is read by Robin Williams as Sy and it really adds character to the film. Although not perfect, I did really enjoy this film and in particular Robin William’s performance. Over all, a tight psychological thriller that does what it says on the tin… Recommended.

My Score: 7.1/10

LINKS:
(RT=Rotten Tomatoes)
IMDb Page: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0265459/
RT Page: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/one_hour_photo/
Official Site: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/onehourphoto/
Trailer: