One Hour Photo

In film, the third time isn't necessarily the charm, especially when it's the sight of Robin Williams playing yet another psychotic character.

Already this year, the comedian/actor has played a deranged former children's show host (in the dark comedy "Death to Smoochy") and a manipulative murderer (in the infinitely better dramatic thriller "Insomnia").

Now, here he is again, starring as an obsessive photo developer in the creepy but unconvincing thriller "One Hour Photo."

While the move does make sense — especially in light of Williams' attempts to re-establish himself as a "serious" actor — it also feels like a bit of stunt casting. But despite his best efforts, we're all too aware that it's Williams himself playing the film's main character, Sy Parrish, an employee at the local Savmart store.

Sy is something of a perfectionist, who perhaps takes his job at the photo counter a little too seriously. He's become attached to the Yorkin family, especially soccer-mom Nina (Connie Nielsen) and her son Jakob (Dylan Smith). In fact, the lonely man imagines himself to be the Yorkins' beloved Uncle Sy.

However, the family remains unaware of his complete and utter devotion to them. Eventually, however, it becomes clear, following some actions by Sy at his workplace — as well as by Nina's husband, Will (Michael Vartan) — which threaten the family.

It's at this point that the already stretching-credibility premise gets too ludicrous for its own good. (Not to give too much away, but the story culminates with a scene that is too similar to the prologue from "Psycho" to even be referred to as an homage.)

That said, director Mark Romanek impresses in his feature filmmaking debut. Unlike others who got their start in music videos, he favors longer takes, and there's none of the jarring, quick-cut editing that his contemporaries overuse. Romanek also seems to have encouraged Williams to use restraint . . . although the star never really seems to get a grip on his character and is unable to make Sy endearing or sympathetic.

Unfortunately, the supporting cast is also remarkably bland. And the unsubtle music score doesn't help, with swelling strings to tip off the audience every time something dire is about to happen.

"One Hour Photo" is rated R for occasional use of strong, sexually related profanity, male and full female nudity, brief gore, brief sexual contact and a lingering threat of violence. Running time: 98 minutes.

---

E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com