One Hour Photo

2002
R
1h 36m

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

134K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

Play trailer0:34

Erotic Thriller Psychological Thriller Drama Thriller

A mentally unstable photo developer targets an upper middle-class family after his obsession with them becomes more sick and disturbing than any of them could imagine.A mentally unstable photo developer targets an upper middle-class family after his obsession with them becomes more sick and disturbing than any of them could imagine.A mentally unstable photo developer targets an upper middle-class family after his obsession with them becomes more sick and disturbing than any of them could imagine.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

134K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

4,219

627

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 6 wins & 22 nominations total

Videos2

Photos138

+ 132

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
After the film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, Robin Williams overheard viewers say that they forgot it was Williams in the lead role 15 minutes into the film. An observation that made Williams proud.

Goofs
When Sy is fired from Savmart, his boss Bill allows him to finish the rest of his work week. In real life, terminated employees are generally handed their last paycheck, asked to sign a couple of documents, and are escorted from the premises. Especially since Sy was fired for what appeared to be behavioral issues, he never would be allowed to continue working.

Quotes
Sy Parrish: And if these pictures have anything important to say to future generations, it's this... I was here. I existed. I was young. I was happy... and someone cared enough about me in this world to take my picture.

Alternate versions
An early cut of the film had several differences than the theatrical version.
The opening Fox Searchlight logo briefly becomes a negative image as it fades out. This is obviously a reference to picture negatives.
An alternate prologue before the main titles featured a narration by Williams on the red eye effect in human's and animals, while a photo of a family with red eyes, footage of animals with this effect and video of what's happening in the eye when this happens.
There was also a scene near the end where a police detective reviews the pictures Sy took of Will & Maya at the hotel. In the theatrical version these photos were never shown and it was left in question whether they were actually taken.
The argument between Sy and the photo machine repair guy was extended.

Connections
Featured in Anatomy of a Scene: One Hour Photo (2002)

Soundtracks
Coming Home
Written by William Aura, Craig Dobbin, and Alain Eskinasi
Performed by 3rd Force
Courtesy of Higher Octave Music

User reviews674

Review

Featured review

Not Hitchcock but closer than most

A seemingly innocuous man's descent into madness, and its effect on a family, gives One Hour Photo an advantage over most attempts at psychological thrillers. As with most movies, even critical darlings by the master himself, Mr. Hitchcock, there are questionable plot contrivences and scenes where reality has to be suspended, but these annoyances did not interfere with the total enjoyment of the movie. Williams was eerily brilliant as "Sy, The Photo Guy", and was able to travel between chillingly detached and forcefully angry with ease. The brilliant use of stark colors fleshed out the film, and those that garner enjoyment from the sets and cinematography, as well as the dialogue, will be pleased. This is a film for those that enjoy the total movie experience, and those that appreciate an intensity in their psychological thrillers will not be disappointed. After viewing this film, the question now becomes who gets the Oscar, Williams for One Hour Photo, or Pacino for Insomnia ?