One Hour Photo (BD)

It's rare to see a family in a photograph that is full of sorrow and despair. Most of the time, it's a requirement to have smiling faces in a family picture. Nobody wants to see any sort of sad expression on a face, because that's not what people would want to remember when it's revisited. It's the exact opposite of the news: we want FOND memories of life. And sometimes when we look at a smiling family in a Kodak picture, we wish we had that sort of happiness in the past (and in the present). It may seem odd to some people, but never to the main character of "One Hour Photo": Sy Parrish. In the film, Sy (played by Robin Williams) is one of those people that we never really notice everyday. He works at a clinic in a department store, and he seems to be nothing but air. Very few people care about him (mainly his customers). He's neither a celebrity nor a messiah. People would pass him by and would always be oblivious of his presence, and it's only because they've got other things in mind. As a matter of fact, he would actually blend in the white and gray walls due to the dull colors of his clothing. Sy doesn't look like he acknowledges his mediocre existence, but it's clear that he cares about his work. He is fully dedicated to creating photos, but it's unfortunate that his line of work offers him nothing in return. He is not married, and he has very little friends (probably none). Whenever he heads home from work, all he does is feed his pet hamster and watch television. His life is devastatingly empty, and he just wants the world to see that he existed. Something does give him happiness, though. There is a customer named Nina Yorkin (played by Connie Nielsen) who brings in family photos, and Sy happily process them. She is his favorite customer, and therefore, her photos are the ones that he admires the most. In fact, he loves them so much that they have actually become a part of his life. The smiles and the various colorful images on these photos make him happy, because this looks like the one thing that was missing his entire life: a perfect family. He has the desire to become a part of the "supposed" picture-perfect family that's embedded on hand-sized pieces of paper, and he'll do anything to make sure that it this happiness stays within, even if it results in severe consequences. Director Mark Romanek has done a splendid job with "One Hour Photo." He and Jeff Cronenweth, the cinematographer, have made the correct look of the film: the contrasts of light and color between Sy's apartment, the department store, and the Yorkins' home are very well-done. Romanek has also formed the appropriate pacing for this movie: nothing is ever too slow or too rushed. Credit should also go to Reinhold Heil & Johnny Klimek for the chilling yet beautiful music score. Actually, credit should go to everyone who was involved with this film. Robin Williams is mostly known for his comedic work. I don't admire a majority of the films that he appeared in, but I admire him for his abstract comic timings and improvisations. His dramatic work, however, has surprised millions of people because this is the exact opposite of what he has been associated with. I'm not particularly shocked by this change of pace, but I was deeply fascinated by not only his character, but also his performance in the film. Robin has that quiet, awkward personality down perfectly for his character, and his complete absorption of Sy Parrish's mannerisms and dialogue is really a mesmerizing sight to see. The supporting cast does a very good job as well. Nielsen, Michael Vartan, and Dylan Smith were very appropriate as the Yorkins, while Gary Cole plays Bill Owens, the store manager, with very few flaws. "One Hour Photo" is not a feel-good film, nor is it trying to be one. It succeeds at being a psychological thriller/drama that delves into solemn real-world issues. It's depressing, but it's also powerful. It's not exactly perfect, but it's still an effective film, and it remains on my list of all-time favorites. Grade: 9.5/10

One Hour Photo is a film that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who watches it. Starring Robin Williams in a chilling performance, the film tells the story of a lonely photo lab technician who becomes obsessed with a family whose photos he develops. And now, with the release of the Blu-ray edition, fans can experience the film in stunning high definition. One of the things that makes One Hour Photo so compelling is its exploration of themes such as loneliness, obsession, and the illusion of perfection. The film provides a thought-provoking commentary on our society's obsession with image and the impact it can have on individuals. Robin Williams delivers a performance that is both chilling and sympathetic. His portrayal of Sy Parrish, the photo lab technician, is nuanced and complex, making it difficult for viewers to fully understand his motivations. This complexity is what makes the film so engaging, as viewers are left wondering what Sy will do next. The Blu-ray edition of One Hour Photo is a must-have for any fan of the film. The high definition transfer provides stunning visuals that bring the film to life in a way that was not possible with previous home video releases. The bonus features included on the disc, such as deleted scenes and commentary tracks, provide a fascinating look behind the scenes of the film's production. Overall, One Hour Photo is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll. It is a chilling and thought-provoking exploration of the human psyche, with a standout performance from Robin Williams. And with the release of the Blu-ray edition, fans can experience the film in the best possible quality. So if you're looking for a film that will leave a lasting impression, One Hour Photo is definitely worth a watch.

Great movie

Pay no attention to that 6.8 rating at IMDb; this is a psychological drama which demands more than one viewing. It's hard to even imagine anyone other than Robin Williams being considered for the lead role of Sy Parrish, the guy who prints your photos while you shop at the gargantuan SavMart. That he is the most developed -- pun intended, I guess -- character in the movie is a frustration, but not a fatal flaw. The store, his apartment, his car and his uniform may be blindingly white, but Sy's is a dark, obsessive soul. Nina Yorkin (Connie Nielsen) and her young son, Jake (Dylan Smith) are regulars at the photo counter, and it doesn't take too long to realize that Sy knows far more about them than he should. There are a couple of very effective voiceovers in the movie, and in one of them Sy explains why we take pictures: "Someone looking through our photo album would conclude that we had led a joyous, leisurely existence free of tragedy. No one ever takes a photograph of something they want to forget." It sounds pat and trite, but as Sy says about operating his photo processing machine, there's more to it than meets the eye. The life the Yorkins seem to lead, with all of its colors and smiles, is the one they capture on film, naturally. Sy wants to believe their entire lives are like this, and that he is actually a member of the family. He carries around the copies he has made for himself of the latest photos of the Yorkins as if they depict his own family. In his mind they do. The depth of his obsession is almost revealed in the trailer. Thankfully it isn't, for it shows that if Sy hasn't been unhinged before, he's getting there fast. Jake Yorkin is only nine, but senses that Sy is sad and lonely behind the wan smile. Very perceptive kid. Several sequences unfold that make it clear Sy is not just lonely and overly friendly, but is becoming manipulative, vindictive and malicious. None of this felt manipulative to me as a viewer, nor did it feel forced, until the finale. This was Mark Romanek's first feature film as a director, and he worked from his own script. His story is well-paced, and he builds the suspense in an almost Hitchcockian fashion. He throws a number of curves, and most of them are fair, not cheats. In a movie that is effective at almost every technical level, the spare, eerie score by Reinhold Heil and Johnny Klimek is a standout. Because Sy has studied the Yorkins for years, he knows when there is trouble in paradise, and he soon has photographic evidence of his suspicions. What he does with this information initially is hurtful, but Sy isn't through with his manipulations yet. When they come, they are in the form of a violent confrontation, which is, unfortunately, awkward, uncomfortable and forced. "One Hour Photo" ends as it began, with Sy dressed in white, in a bright white police interrogation room. He has been arrested with two rolls of film, one of which indicates that he is capable of the rage that is the end product of seething. Sy has mastered the art of concealing that anger, but it had to find an outlet eventually. Sy is far more interested in the only set of photos the police will let him see, those depicting the mundane, the ordinary, the everyday -- qualities Sy wants others to believe he embodies. Evidently, Francis Ford Coppola recommended to director Romanek that the movie open with the first part of the interrogation, but I think that choice robs the story of some suspense. Romanek's original cut may one day be made available. It is allegedly quite different than the theatrical version, but with the movie's growing cult status, there is certainly an audience for it. "One Hour Photo" provides Robin Williams with a tailor-made role, and it's one of his best dramatic performances. Williams rarely acted as though he were seeking the audience's approval in dramatic roles, but that did happen in his comedic and unscripted appearances. The more restrained the character, the more honest his acting became. He sank himself into serious roles, yet you're always aware you're watching Robin Williams. The chance to do that again for the first time is lost, but at least "One Hour Photo," his many other good movies, stand-up performances, and a thousand YouTube clips are here to enjoy over and over. They're all we have and will have to do.

Wow, even though most people don't use old-school cameras anymore, this film holds up almost 25 years later and surprisingly, doesn't feel dated. "Sy, the photo guy" is sympathetic, yet creepy. I thought the characters were interesting, and the family's dynamic was unsettling.

Great movie. Really shows Robin Williams range.

My rating is more of a 3.5 Thanks for reading! 𝑷𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔. 𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒑𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒍𝒃𝒖𝒎 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒅𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒂 𝒋𝒐𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒔, 𝒍𝒆𝒊𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆... 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒅𝒚. 𝑵𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒂 𝒑𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕. One Hour Photo is a 2002 American psychological thriller film written and directed by Mark Romanek and starring Robin Williams, Connie Nielsen, Michael Vartan, Gary Cole and Eriq La Salle. The film stars Williams as a photo technician, Seymour, who develops an unhealthy obsession with a family to whom he has long provided services. Beauty is in the eye of the behold, or so they say, with a photo’s purpose strongly informed by the principles and values of the person who took them. Not acting with purely a vendetta, 𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝑯𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐 isn't subtle in terms of its market as Hollywood loves an-unsettling vigilante whom acts under the pretense of something other than simply callousness and egotistical swill. Owing to what transpires as what can best be described as a miscarriage of justice, Seymour’s double-pronged spokes of motivation contribute to a character study that is easily endorsable and all the while challenging; the task of compartmentalizing size faults is only elevated through Williams's concentrated performance, which while certainly fares as out of his element on paper finds the middle ground of aptitude that is so desperately required for the portrayal of a complex personality. Eager to juxtapose Seymour's mental state and the meticulous nature of his occupation, perhaps 𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝑯𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐’s glaring flaw is a hollowness that plagues films with similar circumstances and subject matter. Speaking to the overarching context there's admittedly little beef to be had as the precariousness of Seymour's network of social support is relatively consistent, notwithstanding his fascination with the Yorkin family when he likely serves others that are similar on a daily basis. That said, there is a pattern of inadequately demonstrating by what margin similar characters are able to understand right from wrong, which turns into the ‘elephant in the ‘dark’ room’ (Ha ha, photography joke), much less to what extent accountability proves a contentious factor. For obvious reasons, it proves more productive in the short-term to present Seymour's inappropriate thoughts as they concern ‘just desserts’ as something that needs to be exhibited immediately, and it’s a shame that more formative items go loosely acknowledged: to include his dormant desire for a family that will love and be accepting of him unconditionally give what can be assumed as only known by the audience about him, but I digress. Par the usual course, I figured that 𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝑯𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐 was connected to something personal, albeit applicable by in large to a topical point of substance. In regards to the former item Romanek is far from ignorant when it comes to the potential that photos and media with brief runtime have when it comes to begging important questions and teasing a much larger story, particularly in light with his experience of directing music videos that feature inflammatory images (IE, Nine Inch Nail’s ‘Closer). That said, their lack of nuance on account of their duration that 𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝑯𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐 on some level borrows from is perhaps offset about the broadly applicable themes of idealism and public images, particularly in the age of social media and the artificial personalities they host. The recognition that things “aren’t always what they seem” irrespective of the repercussions of maintaining relative falsehoods is further explored via information that the viewers have and Seymour does not, not to mention information he comes in to by coincidence that he feels compelled to make a confrontational affair on his own. (P.S., not really a plot hole, but why would a cheating man bring photos that could be used to prove he is doing this to the same processing center his family uses regularly except to avoid suspicion or a change to his usual routine? What a freaking idiot.) (Fun fact, Romanek does have a photography exhibition entitled ‘Snapshots’ that includes photos he has taken of notable icons whilst working on various music videos throughout the year, but there’s no virtual link to the entire collection 😠😠😠) Asked for his inspirations in writing this story otherwise, Romanek has alluded to “stories about lonely men” to be of interest, further commenting that movies like 𝑻𝒂𝒙𝒊 𝑫𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓 have an aura that he intended to capture with the making of 𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝑯𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐. That said, his achieved narrative successfully combines problematic (and/or deranged) behavior and understandable motives, with the element of public personas especially relevant given how frequently communication tends to happen virtually or otherwise as of recently. Lastly, the presence of Williams’ himself retrospectively highlights the importance of reconciling unresolved grievances with any given person’s reputation in light of his passing, which in turn brings many points related to tragic curation full circle. Seymour’s future, as to be predicted by 𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝑯𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐’s conclusion alone, takes no stance on the likelihood of him committing further transgressions that will require intervening; it epitomizes the tendency for photos to be taken at “face value”, though the impact statement this lends to isn’t without due criticism. What appears most likely is that the pictures Seymour has taken will last longer than the lesson he was meant to receive, but perhaps that just goes without saying.

product was good ; delivery was terrible

Trae subtitulos en Español,recomiendo mucho esta peliculas porque me parece de las mejores y más desconocidas de Robin Williams.Gran pelicula,la volveré a ver.

Robin Williams proves what an amazingly versatile and gifted actor he was. This is a totally engrossing movie, really scary at times but unforgettable. It makes one realise what an enormous loss his death was to the world.

Super underrated movie. Robin in his darker moments had some of these gems that had the legend in some very painful and mentally disturbed thrillers. This was really an amazing adventure in the life of the character. Very well done

Esta película llegó a la pantalla chica en muchas ocasiones, pero por alguna extraña razón, no se comercializó de manera correcta en México. Al menos yo, como coleccionista, batallé bastante en encontrarla y terminé comprando un dvd región 1 que después cambiaría por esta versión en blu ray. La película es una joya, viene doblada al español e incluye subtítulos en español por si se desea disfrutar en idioma original. Incluso los extras son excelentes, y aunque hablamos de una película que salió antes de la tecnología blu ray, la adaptación de la resoluciíon está hecha de manera impecable. Viene en caja azul convencional, ya que la imagen mostrada haría pensar que es slide cover, cosa que para mi no demerita el valor del producto. 100% recomendable

Grande film del grandissimo Robin Williams . Vale la pena averlo in DVD