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One Hour Photo review
:. Director: Mark Romanek
:. Starring: Robin Williams, Connie Nielsen
:. Running Time: 1:35
:. Year: 2002
:. Country: USA
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One word best describes Mark Romanek's directorial film debut One Hour Photo—tense. With an electric performance by Robin Williams, it's impossible to not feel the intensity emitted by his performance and Romanek's directing.
At a glance, it is a simple film with a simple plot and a simple main character. Williams plays Sy Parish, the photo guy at a local SavMart whose loving admiration for the Yorkin Family turns into an obsession after having developed their photos for the last decade.
Williams's performance is acted out in such a convincing manner that within the first five minutes you actually forget you are watching Robin Williams. While dark humor is peppered throughout the beginning of the film, by the end, Williams's tensity shines through and further pushes his disturbing character over the edge. Finally, a film that enables the actor to flex his Julliard muscles!
Praise must also be given to Mark Romanek, the writer/director behind the film. A veteran of music video directing, (Madonna, Nine Inch Nails, David Bowie) Romanek's debut is a tasteful thriller that is well paced and proves to be far more disturbing than its title and promotional ads will let on. His attention to detail (on such things as machinery) is brilliant, and gives the film its sleek style. Something that must be noted is the way in which he conveys the character of Sy Parish on screen—not just by the writing and directing-but the look of him all together. Parish's blonde hair and penchant for wearing neutral colors cause him to blend into his surroundings and possibly disappear completely, lost within the stark white aisles of the SavMart where he works.
Also noteworthy are the production contributions of Reinhold Heil and Johnny Klimek, (Run Lola Run) who provide the film's throbbing and rhythmic film score. The cinematography of Jeff Cronenweth, (Fight Club) which intensifies the light and dark shades, and Michael Vartan (taking a break from his role in Alias) as the untrustworthy Will Yorkin.
Romanek's debut One Hour Photo is beautiful and proves he is more than capable of expanding his directing skills outside of music videos. Between his eye as a director and Williams's flawless performance, I can only hope that this film will not be overlooked when the Academy Award nominations are selected.
Sarah Lund
 Movie Reviews: American Films
Reviews 2012 - present
Reviews 1998 - 2012
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