cataclysm1071 I'm writing this review 16 years after the film was released, however the message that the film conveys is still very relevant today. Personal cameras using film and dropping the film somewhere to be developed, had largely been abandoned for camera phones, and other digital devices. The late Robin Williams plays Seymour "Sy" Parrish, a lonely but friendly photo counter clerk at a Walmart type big box store. He slowly becomes obsessed with a young, seemingly "picture perfect" family whose personal family photos he develops. One day Sy runs into the husband, Will, who's shopping at the savmart, and Sy approaches him with the awe and excitement one may have, had they met their favorite celebrity in public. This display showcases the obsession Sy has with this family, and is almost disturbing in nature.The message conveyed is of the grass is always greener....or things and other people who look good on paper, or in this case, film...isn't always the case. Today in the age of Facebook and other social media, we're all vouyers in a sense, peeping in on other's lives, that appear carefree, fun, exciting and flawless. Robin Williams voice narration summed up this trend perfectly, that NO ONE photographs or records the mundane or painful parts of their life, we the onlookers only see the good. Ironically, it is a very painful and negative situation taking place when someone takes what may have been one of the few photos ever taken of Sy...his jailhouse mugshots.My only nitpicks are a couple of scenes in the movie that never would happened in real life. One is when Sy is watching the little boy Jake's soccer practice. The coach probably saw this strange man lurking around the playground, yet still allows Jake to wander off with him after practice. Even though Jake reassured his coach that Sy was harmless, I still don't see that happening ever. The other nitpick, is that Nina Yorkin appeared somewhat uneasy with Sy's over friendly, somewhat creepy nature when she ran into him at the mall (he was actually following her around), and his over enthusiasm over her family photos....yet she continued to use his photo counter even though there were probably thousands of other film developing places in town.Overall, a great character study of a slowly unraveling man.

The Movie Diorama Whoa. I mean, I actually felt uncomfortable watching this. I kept fidgeting! The whole premise and the realism of it just affected me greatly. This isn't just a typical psychological thriller where a crazy guy goes crazy and does crazy things. This is an intelligent study of a character who's loneliness and solitude has driven him to stalking a family. A photograph printer who sees into the lives of those that are within these pictures, he is able to imagine himself being in them. He clearly narrates that photographs are always taken on happy occasions, and never on the events that we wish to forget. I found that to be rather poignant. All he ever desired was to be loved or wanted, and yet he just existed. His days are just routines, his life being lived in the clinical colours of beige. So very monotonous. Another great narration was the etymology of the word "snapshot" which he said was a hunting term. A guy, with a camera, taking snapshots, of children. Powerful, absolutely compelling. Robin Williams yet again proved he was able to steer away from his typecast comedic roles and endeavour in more psychologically challenging performances. He was outstanding. The supporting cast were fine but Williams owned this whole film. Creepy yet with an undertone of melancholia. You can see how the screenplay manages to convince the audience that his mental state is of depression. We don't hate him, we actually sympathise instead. So many terrifying scenes, not in terms of horror but how realistically possible these scenarios are. Your child talking to a stranger and buying them gifts. A stranger waiting outside your house everyday. These stalker-like behaviour traits is ever so apparent in the current world. That's what makes this film so powerful. Realism. I wish we could've explored Sy "the photo guy's" past, I'm sure it would've been fascinating. It may not be a blockbuster thriller, but this little gem is one of Robin Williams' best performances.

Alan Smithee Esq. A perfect example of an obsession gone awry. The technology may be dated but it's still a twisted little movie. The late great Robin William's best dramatic role. Most of the film is bright and beautiful to watch but the underlying tone is dark and disturbing. One of the all time best psychological thrillers.

Python Hyena One Hour Photo (2002): Dir: Mark Romanef / Cast: Robin Williams, Connie Nielsen, Michael Vartan. Gary Cole, Eriq La Salle: Photographs capture time and memories but it only takes a short time for those moments to be invaded. Robin Williams plays photo clerk Sy Parrish who narrates the film giving viewers a bit of history on the word "snap-shot" as a hunting term. He makes extra prints and imagines himself amongst them as uncle Sy while plastering his apartment walls with photographs. He also knows that the husband id having an affair because he examined the photographs. He is an intruder who hides his knowledge behind a friendly smile. Great setup with analysis of his work and home life leading to a powerful ending. Director Mark Romanek graces the film with shots that suggest invasion of the mind. Powerful performance by Williams whose profession is both his doorway to acceptance and his reality to consequence and instability. Connie Nielsen is also strong as the mother whose romantic void is obvious when Williams knows what she doesn't. Michael Vartan as her husband needed more depth but he receives his regret in the most deliberate fashion. Gary Cole plays Williams's boss who pushes him to the limits. Eriq La Salle is superb as a detective whose final scene brings proper resolution and understanding. Loneliness is something nobody wishes to capture on film. Score: 9 / 10