I
didn't ask for doubles...
Williams
gives a chilling performance as the seemingly
friendly photo clerk who secretly obsesses over
a family and their snapshots. He is icy cool,
reserved, and virtually emotionless in a role
that many actors would have wanted to play in a
psychopathic manner. Williams and the director
made a very good choice in that aspect. This
film would have fallen flat on it's face if it
had tried to be an action film.
Connie Nielsen is very good as the loving
mother. Hers is an equally subtle performance...
she never strikes a wrong note.
The only thing that detracts from the film is
the lack of actual plot. There are a ton of
moody shots. Shots of Williams looking insane,
set to melodramatic music. Shots of imagined
scenarios. Shots of dream sequences. Shots of
bland exteriors and bleach white interiors. And
while all these shots create an imposing mood
and creepy tone... not a lot really happens.
Everything about the film is recommendable...
some of it is masterful. And if you can be
patient enough to watch an hour long movie
stretched into a 90 minute one, then you will
have a good time at the theatre.
©
Written by TC Candler
Richard
Propes' Comment
I saw this
film and "Secretary" on the same day in
2002...oh my, quite the day. I was expecting
this to be my favorite...well, since "Secretary"
is now in my "Top 10" and this film languishes
with an A- I guess we know which film won. The
loss to "Secretary" aside, I love this film for
many reasons. First, and foremost, is an
outstanding performance by Robin Williams. Much
was made of Williams doing a series of darker
roles last year...roles he largely pulled off
successfully, with the possible exception of
"Death to Smoochy." (Which I still liked). This
film was wonderful, for me, because it featured
a restrained Williams performance that added
great depth to an already creepy performance.
The script and direction appeared to follow the
example of a series of photo montages...all
loosely tied together and not really what they
seemed. Connie Nielsen also did a wonderful job
here as the mother, supported by Michael Vartan
as her husband and Dylan Smith as her young son.
This was another impressive performance by Gary
Cole...an underrated actor who seems to soar
with the right material. This performance has
the attitude and bite of his "Office Space"
performance, but also reveals a more internal
picture that allows us to go from finding him
detestable to a more sympathetic character who
may have had tremendous insight all along. This
film is beautifully written and directed by Mark
Romanek.
Jacob
Hall's Comment
n/a
