A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: One Hour Photo

Date Viewed: 8/31/02

Details:

Robin Williams

Connie Nielsen

Michael Vartan

Dylan Smith

Erin Daniels

Written & directed by: Mark Romanek

Score: 1/2

The Review: Creepy drama about an obsessive Robin Williams, playing a nebbish who runs the "most carefully calibrated Agfa photo-processor in the state" for a pseudonymous mega-market. But this is a nebbish whose private "life of quiet desperation" conceals a dark past along with some very odd wish-fulfillment fantasies: primarily that of insinuating himself into a happy, apparently well-adjusted family, a young couple in the local neighborhood.

Robin Williams has lately been visiting the dark side of his personae (Death to Smoochy, Insomnia) -- sometimes adding a few tidbits of humor that have usually seemed in character. This time, however, the performance is humorless -- a good one, but dark and humorless. Watching some of the dialog, I felt a bit embarrassed for the character, but I'm not sure if I was embarrassed FOR the character, or for myself watching his character, or what -- confusing, for sure.

So much for private lives, and private photos; you will likely think twice about turning your film over to the corner store to be processed. Strong acting, but not overall a likeable film; occasional over-voiced narrative by Williams' character, which actually works pretty well. Not really scary, but certainly disturbing.

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