Movie Review: One Hour Photo (2002) seen on DVD and multiple streaming services

Thriller; not recommended for young children; violence, nudity, sexual content, sexual situations, scenes that depict infidelity and marriage disputes, scenes that imply child endangerment, mature themes throughout

Robin Williams takes a break from his normal comedic roots to star in this intense thriller as a photo lab technician who attempts to become part of a family of customers who acquire his services after he is made aware of an affair the husband is having when looking through their developed photos. Despite this, he strikes up a close friendship with the couple’s young son.

I’ve always been a fan of Robin Williams and even though I have yet to review most of his movies that I’ve seen, he was definitely a source of nostalgia for me growing up. I have to say that I’m not used to seeing him in this type of role as he has been known more as a comedic character. When I first saw this movie, I didn’t really understand the main conflict within it as it appeared to me as though he was just taking pictures, (an actual quote used by him in this movie.) At first, I didn’t understand why police were involved with him. He wasn’t doing anything wrong as far as I knew. However, after seeing the movie a few more times and being made aware of what he was doing, I honestly have to say that this whole movie exists because of Robin Williams’ inability to mind his own business throughout. Growing up, this was a phrase that on a personal level, I used to hate but years of being taught what it meant and when people would say it to me has created a situation where I’m not only ok with being told it, but now it is a phrase I live by as there are certain aspects of my life that I wouldn’t want people to know about me. Well to me, there isn’t one scene in this movie where Robin Williams doesn’t mind his own business starting with getting involved in his favourite family’s personal business and going out of his way to ask a police officer of all people the details of his family life as he is being arrested. The fact is that he had no right to know anything about the people in this movie and therefore, this movie only exists because he couldn’t keep his nose out of other people’s business. I mean, why would a cop who arrests a criminal give him/her any details of his personal life knowing that he is talking to a criminal? If anything, I would think that any information the officer would give to the criminal would be grounds for the criminal to start targeting the officer’s family. In other words, Robin Williams should have known that the cop would respond in that way. I always like to give credit where it is due. Though I was opposed to that phrase being used against me early on in life, it perfectly sums up what should have been the answer to most questions Robin Williams had in this film. Don’t get me wrong. I’m a fan of his movies and it’s a tragedy what happened to him, (I’m well aware of where he is now,) but having said that, his character is this movie was the least bit to desire.

On another note, there are certain aspects of his character in this movie that I’m actually currently trying to prevent from being the case where I’m concerned. It is pointed out throughout this film that his character is very introverted and lives his own life with no girlfriend. This movie just goes to show me that people who grow up with no wife/girlfriend ETC, are more likely to be shut down by society either because the only comfort they find in living life this way is to get involved in situations that don’t concern them, (like Robin Williams in this character,) or because the lack of a wife/girlfriend can make society eventually turn on you for being known as a loser. Luckily, I’m not at that point yet. I’m still young enough that I can wait a few more years to have a girlfriend or significant other before I’m labelled as a loser. I would say that by the time I reach the presumed age of Robin Williams’ character in this movie, (I would estimate him to be anywhere from his mid 40’s to 60 years old,) if I don’t have a girlfriend by then, I may be labelled as a loser in kind of the same way he was. These days, I quietly compare his living arrangement in the film to my current one and I tell myself that I will not end up like Robin Williams’ character in this movie by the time I reach that age. Although I do feel like him in general right now which is made apparent by the fact that in terms of my love life, (not necessarily my whole life but my love life,) I do live a solitary existence and this needs to change soon.

I have a little problem right now…..I do not know what to rate this movie. Based on all of the negative points I have brought up throughout this review, it would make sense for me to give it a zero. However, I realize that I was a fan of Robin Williams and this should be accounted for when determining the final rating of this film, but also having said that, his character was not desired by anybody else in this movie. I was going to rate it perfectly but that would kind of defeat the purpose of the movie rating. At the end of the day, this is my review and what I choose to rate my movies is my decision. Though Robin Williams’ character was the least desired person in the world of show business in this role, I have a heart and nobody should forget where Robin Williams the person is now and the reason we won’t see him in anymore movies. Though I’m opposed to determining my final rating on anything but the movie itself, I will make an exception this time out of respect for the loss of a comedy legend. In case anybody is wondering, no review will ever be made when mom finds herself in the same place he is because I will be in too big of a shock. Mom will always be 10 out of 10 and I don’t have to struggle in saying that it will be nothing short of tragic when her time comes. For now though, I’m thinking about Hollywood and the immense devastation they felt upon hearing of Robin Williams’ current situation. This movie was a complete joke. It had a predictable storyline and he was the only reason I liked it at all. With that in mind, my review does not reflect this movie but the circumstances surrounding Robin Williams.

Movie rating: 10 out of 10

Note: As implied above, this rating does not reflect the quality of the movie itself despite this being the point behind movie reviews. The movie was no good and should not be viewed by anyone but the rating was out of respect for my personal admiration for Robin Williams given his sad current circumstances.

Next movie review: TBD