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One Hour Photo (2002) Fox Searchlight 1 hr. 38 mins. Starring: Robin Williams, Connie Nielsen, Michael Vartan, Dylan Smith, Garry Cole, Eriq La Salle, Erin Daniels Directed by: Mark Romanek One Hour Photo Rating:  
E-MAIL FRANK OCHIENG Occasionally you have to ask yourself if it is always a wise decision to ignore the certain disenfranchised "elements" of our society and the lonely existence that they sadly lead. Of course it's sometimes hard to tell who exactly the alienated core are within our global community because they're among the savviest and unassuming breed that you will ever meet. They are the sad clowns who work diligently to ensure that you see their forced jocularity in motion. They are the poster children for the local lonely hearts club but will let on in one false exaggerated gesture how beloved and wanted they really are. The mere pain of their agonizing isolation cannot withhold the facade that wants to paint a picture of normalcy. Eventually, these socially and/or mentally ill individuals will pop that bubble of disillusionment and soon we'll all be part of the frustrating vicious circle. Well, first-time filmmaker Mark Romanek astutely captures the warped world of one man who injects his empty livelihood on his idealistic "fantasy family" in the disturbing and insightfully caustic drama "One Hour Photo". Romanek, who serves as both writer and director, marvelously displays a raw nerve by probing the psychological fiber of his insidious yet woefully wounded protagonist. This is a portrait of a desperate man who constantly peeks out of a delusional window while observing a world that he knows deep down he's not ready for emotionally or spiritually. Hence, "One Hour Photo" is a toxic snapshot that needs no further development. Absorbingly wry and telling, Romanek's psychological saga competently penetrates the psyche. Robin Williams is in full intense mode as Seymour "Sy" Parris, a serious and confirmed loner who happens to live through the means of his methodical job as a photo technician at the local San Fernando Valley Sav-Mart photomat. For years, Sy has watched these customers come and go out of his store and yearns to be part of their exuberant world of friends and family - just plain good ol' companionship. Realistically, all Sy can do is share moments with his valued customers through their rolls of film that they deliver to him. Sy may not be able to attach himself to their hip pockets, but he certainly can live vicariously through their happy-themed photos. There's one family in particular that Sy favors immensely - The Yorkins. For the longest time, the close knit clan have been inadvertently entertaining Sy with their personal accounts of fun and frolic courtesy of their highly-spirited pictures. Naturally Sy has forged this bond with the mother-son tandem of Nina and Jake Yorkin (Connie Nielsen and Dylan Smith). The trouble is, unfortunately, that this poor family has no idea how much invested feeling that Sy has in their familial interests. What happens next is strangely a delightful twist of creative manipulation. It appears that Sy is not the only one putting on a fake show by ducking and dodging reality. Apparently Nina and her hubby Will (Michael Vartan) are having marital problems and when Sy becomes privy to this piece of shocking news, this upsets his vision of the perfect people to lean his deranged hopes on to further fortify his pseudo-happiness. In Sy's mind, why should his treasured targets be saddled with conflict therefore ruining his cherished fixation with the very same individuals who are a source of inspiration and motivation to him? In a nutshell, Sy's proverbial camera can only point at things that are pleasant and non-confrontational because basically the guy is hiding from life completely. Consequently, he doesn't want to face the ugly truth about the fact that he's uncomfortable with himself and flawed beyond belief. As long as that sheltered universe exists at that Sav-Mart photomat, Sy can wallow in the continued routine of his warped wishful thinking. "One Hour Photo" marks the third time this year of 2002 that the manic comedian and Oscar-winning actor Robin Williams has took on the persona of a tortured and deviant soul (both "Death to Smoochy" and "Insomnia" being included in this "Terrifying Trilogy of 2002"). Clearly, Williams is quite effective in "Photo" because the material is the antithesis of his well-known frenzied and frazzled nature. When Williams submerges all that pent up wild energy and barricades it under the quiet and indelible madness of a character such as Sy Parris, you can see the unassuming tactics of this man's approach to acting. When Williams is in control of his inner mayhem on screen, this presents the audience with a unique challenge because we know how eerie a maniac like Williams can be when he's oddly in check of his incongruous zaniness. To see a boisterous performer undertake a gentle cinematic sociopath waiting to explode is a priceless movie moment indeed. No, Williams's Sy Parris won't! make us forget menacing misfits such as "Taxi Driver's" Travis Bickle or Hannibal "Cannibal" Lector, but his gear devilishly shifts in that right direction. Romanek is very clever in making sure that "One Hour Photo" is a subtle and unnerving showcase where desperation and despair are framed up prominently on the wall of personal human suffering. This is a character study of a person who's haunted by his own insecurities about himself and the environment that he chooses to reject through dubious denial. Granted, there's not much complexity because for the most part, we understand Sy's need to escape his stillborn existence because he's universally sad and lost. However, if Williams is vying for another Academy Award, then this moody and sharply photographic sullen drama that he presides over may grant his wish once again. "One Hour Photo" may not be the most flashiest or in-depth narrative you'd ever come across regarding the lingering concept of angst-ridden anxiety, but it's chillingly effective in its commentary about one's insanity masquerading as blossoming acceptance and self-esteem. This picture, for the most part, is definitely worth a thousand words! Click here to comment on this review or post your own thoughts. Frank Ochieng © TheWorldJournal.com |
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