The Safe House - Expositions

Robin Williams stars as Sy Parrish, a depressed photo processor in the creepy drama ONE HOUR PHOTO. We begin this film at the photo development booth of a Wal-Martesque store, where Nina Yorkin (Connie Nielsen) is dropping off yet another batch of her family photos. She's been bringing her photos to Sy for years. We discover right a way that Sy has a great interest in Nina and her family, as he orders 3 copies of her prints when only 2 are requested. He has no family of his own; living vicariously through the photos he develops helps take his mind off of his lonely life. His obsession turns from strange to dangerous as his world is turned upside down by both his boss, Bill Owens (Gary Cole) and Nina's husband Will (Michael Vartan). The story continues as Sy attempts to punish those who have destroyed the life he has made for himself.

Robins Williams proves yet again that he's not all comedy in this interesting, and bothersome film. Williams' has chosen serious roles in the past, as he did in GOOD WILL HUNTING and DEAD POETS SOCIETY, but these roles have always shown him in a good light. His first attempt at being a bad guy, Walter Finch in INSOMNIA, was only so-so and overall unconvincing. This performance is not only convincing, but also rivetting. Williams says things and acts ways in this film that you would have never imagined him doing based on his past work. He does a better job of crossing into the bad role than even Tom Hanks does in ROAD TO PERDITION.

The script for ONE HOUR PHOTO is solid as well. It does a wonderful job of switching back and forth between Sy's sad life and the Yorkin family's happy one. This process shows jsut how disturbed Sy really is. It also shows what little we really know about the people we see each day. Most of us assume that people have at least someone close to them, and this film tells us that folley of that thinking. It also displays just how intense of an emotion loneliness is, and how important human contact is to our sanity.

The film has its downside as well. While the script overall is a great, the pace of the feature is lethargic. You know that Sy is going to snap from the beginning, it's just a matter of when. The problem is that the when takes too long, allowing some of the suspense that the film has built to fade away. Also, the supporting cast, except for Eric LaSalle and Gary Cole, turn in weak performances. Connie Nielsen and Michael Vartan both walk through their parts, leaving some much needed emotions on the sideline.

Overall, ONE HOUR PHOTO is a great film. Robin Williams turns in one of the best performances of his career. The story takes a great look into the thinking of a troubled, lonely person. If you are a fan of Robin Williams, or films with a lot of depth, ONE HOUR PHOTO is the film for you.

MPAA Rating: Rated R for sexual content and language.

Score: * * * *

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