His boss for example clearly had a dislike for him and I felt he enjoyed twisting the knife when firing him from a job that Sy not only loved but was everything to him. Williams is excellent as Sy and it seemed to me that life and people in general got some kind of perverse pleasure out of figuratively kicking him in the privates. The subject matter will not be to everyone's tastes and some might find it a little disturbing. Through his job he learns of a betrayal within that family that tips him over the edge and leads him to behave in an inappropriate manner. Possibly to fill the void in his own life he involves himself in the life of one family who are regular customers to the point where he stalks them and try's all kinds of methods to worm his way into the families affections. This ranges from mad old bats who take photos of their cats and men who take pictures of their lovers in compromising positions. He is a solitary character whose job gives him a unique insight into the lives of others. Sy is a photo developer for a Wall Mart style chain and has been so for over a decade. My overriding emotion towards his character Sy was not disgust or hatred but instead more pity and however misguided his actions I did see his point. He is intense and certainly gets across a sense of loneliness that I couldn't help but feel sorry for. I found One Hour Photo to be compelling and this is in the main because of Williams's performance. I've been meaning to watch this for some time and the recent passing of Robin Williams gave me a nudge in the ribs. The reason I can't give One Hour Photo a higher rating is because the ending is so rushed and extremely anti-climactic just as the film really dives into a fun and terrifyingly fast pace it collapses with a fizzle rather than going off with a bang. Williams' character is so fascinating to watch, however its hard for its audience to decide if he is three-dimensional on purpose or is it just an example of unsteady pacing and inconsistent character development? I hope and certainly believe that it is the former. The Fatal Attraction-esque themes of insatiable obsession and dark and driven want are evident for sure. People really should talk about One Hour Photo more. His performance is severely underrated as is the film - I hadn't ever heard about it before watching it. I think most people would be attracted to the film simply because of the ingenious idea behind the casting. William's portrayal of Sy 'the Photo Guy' is so refreshingly sinister for him that he definitely carries the whole film. It may not be a blockbuster thriller, but this little gem is one of Robin Williams' best performances. I wish we could've explored Sy 'the photo guy's' past, I'm sure it would've been fascinating. These stalker-like behaviour traits is ever so apparent in the current world. A stranger waiting outside your house everyday. Your child talking to a stranger and buying them gifts. So many terrifying scenes, not in terms of horror but how realistically possible these scenarios are. We don't hate him, we actually sympathise instead. You can see how the screenplay manages to convince the audience that his mental state is of depression. Creepy yet with an undertone of melancholia. The supporting cast were fine but Williams owned this whole film. Robin Williams yet again proved he was able to steer away from his typecast comedic roles and endeavour in more psychologically challenging performances. A guy, with a camera, taking snapshots, of children. Another great narration was the etymology of the word 'snapshot' which he said was a hunting term.

His days are just routines, his life being lived in the clinical colours of beige. All he ever desired was to be loved or wanted, and yet he just existed. He clearly narrates that photographs are always taken on happy occasions, and never on the events that we wish to forget. A photograph printer who sees into the lives of those that are within these pictures, he is able to imagine himself being in them. This is an intelligent study of a character who's loneliness and solitude has driven him to stalking a family.

This isn't just a typical psychological thriller where a crazy guy goes crazy and does crazy things. I kept fidgeting! The whole premise and the realism of it just affected me greatly. I mean, I actually felt uncomfortable watching this. One Hour Photo was unsettling to the core.

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