Williams plays disturbed character... again

Robin Williams has certainly had a diverse career, playing everything from his well-known comedic roles to more dramatic, and considerably more serious, fare. Of late, he's been playing much darker, villainous roles, first in "Insomnia," a thriller released earlier this year, and now in "One Hour Photo." In both films he's succeeded admirably.\nWilliams plays Seymour Parrish, a drab, middle-aged man who works at the local Sav-Mart, a Target/Wal-Mart-type superstore. He works there as a phototechnician, developing and printing the countless family photos dropped off every day. Sy takes a bit too much interest in both his work and the subjects of his photos. In particular, he's obsessed with the Yorkin family, dreaming up elaborate scenarios wherein they accept him as part of the family, calling him "Uncle Sy." \nWhile the Yorkins, through their photos, appear to be the perfect family, in reality things are much less rosy. Father Will, played by Michael Vartan ("Alias"), is a designer who spends most of his time wrapped up in his work. Connie Nielsen ("Gladiator") plays his wife, Nina, who's a neglected, stay-at-home mom. Nina spends most of her time doting on their nine-year-old son, Jakob, played by newcomer Dylan Smith.\nWhile we, as the audience, can see the cracks in the Yorkins picture-perfect facade, Sy, who's living vicariously through their photos, can't. Needless to say, he eventually discovers that the facade is just that, and he has a hard time dealing with the lie within a lie that he's been living.\nThe biggest issue with the film is that it's a little too obvious. We know that something is wrong with Sy -- his actions are just too odd. This isn't to say the movie doesn't have any genuinely creepy moments; in fact, the film is rife with them. It's just that the structure of the film is a bit off, revealing just a smidgen too much to the viewer. \nYet these minor quibbles certainly shouldn't keep you from seeing the movie. Just be careful the next time you drop off a roll of film.