One Hour Photo (2002)

This is an atmospherically chilling thriller with a finely nuanced performance by Robin Williams as the lonely, uber-repressed photo clerk who fixates on a perfect family whose reams of photos he has been developing for 11 years. The music sets and drives the tone of the scenes -- listen to it as Williams is ambling down the block-long aisles as he leaves the employ of this Wal-Mart-like megastore. Williams' performance is stellar from his clenched, frozen expressions to the narrowing or the welling-up of his doe eyes; you can see the whole story for what is coming up play across his face -- just barely, but it is enough, and the genius of this movie. Unfortunately the rest of the cast present pretty faces but only barely fulfill their roles; you just don't care about them. And you don't care about Williams' character either; he's waaay too creepy. The end of the movie doesn't really offer answers or a resolution, though it makes a weak stab at one. I think it's telling that my viewing partner's sole response after this movie ended was, "What the hell?" It's definitely worth seeing though. Don't miss it. Three stars.