Robin Williamsis one of themost iconic comedic actorsof all time, but it’s his performance in an underrated thriller 22 years ago that could well be his very best. Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, Williams made a name for himself as a prolific actor, turning out some ofhis best moviesduring that time, and cementing himself as a comedic legend. His performances inGood Will Hunting,The Fisher King,Aladdin,Mrs. Doubtfire, andGood Morning, Vietnamwere all equal levels of genius; just to name a few.
Robin Williams was a larger-than-life character on the big screen, delivering some of the most commanding performances of all time, and doing it in a variety of genres. He was incredible at comedy roles, of course, thanks to an irrepressible commitment to ad-libbing, but Williams was so much more than a jovial clown an actor. Because of his world-wide recognition as a comedian, some of his more serious performances tend to be forgotten, which is a real shame considering there are a few that will stand the test of time withinhis filmography.
Robin Williams Did Incredible Straight Performances In Several Movies
Some Of His Best Work Came From Acting Against Type
It’s somewhat inevitable to view Robin Williams as an incredibly gifted comedic actor, first and foremost. But that wasn’t the extent of Williams' talent, though, ashe put out some of his best performances ever in films where he plays it straighter and more seriously than what he is typically known for, especially in thrillers. He acted against character in a number of incredible movies, showing just how versatile and talented he truly was, elevating those movies to even greater heights.
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Some of his best dramatic roles include the likes ofGood Will Hunting,The Final Cut, andInsomnia. These are just the tip of the iceberg, though, as he acted in several other thrillers and dramas over his career. Still, these movies are essential to Robin Williams' filmography despite flying under the radar when compared to his mega-successful comedic roles that he became known for throughout his career. And one of his most serious roles is also one of his absolute best.
One Hour Photo Is Williams' Best Dramatic Role
A Cold, Creepy Killer Played By The Nicest Guy In Town
When looking atInsomniaandOne Hour Photo, these two films stand out as tense, psychological thrillers in which Williams plays incredible antagonists in each of them. Williams goes darker than ever with his performances in these, and it is hard to determine which one is truly the pinnacle of Robin Williams' dramatic talent.Insomniais absolutely a strong contender, given that it is also one of Christopher Nolan’s most underrated movies, butOne Hour Photofeatures a disquieting masterclass in acting by Robin Williams.
InOne Hour Photo, though, Robin Williams plays a much more outward antagonist, as every tick of his character is out on the surface to be viewed in all its glory.
There is much more to chew on with Robin Williams' performance inOne Hour Photocompared toInsomnia. In the Christopher Nolan thriller, Williams plays it with much more subtlety, as the character is hiding his true nature for most of the film’s runtime: his perverse secret is that he seems mostly normal. InOne Hour Photo, though, Williams plays a much more exaggerated antagonist, as every subtle tick of his character lies either at or just below the surface.
Sy the photo guy exudes creepiness, even when his drive is to be accepted: and much of that comes down to the clash between expectations and how Williams delivers the performance. Even now,it’s hard to watch Robin Williams inOne Hour Photosometimes, and that is why it is his best dramatic role.
Why One Hour Photo Deserves More Attention
Even when it was released,One Hour Photowas well-liked among critics, holding an 81% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and Williams, of course, is the standout, truly commanding the screen every time he appears. Chilling from start to finish, the film deserves to be seen more, if not for anything else, than one of the best performances from any comedy actor in a serious role. Even the lateRoger Ebert praised Robin Williams' performancein it, stating:
“Robin Williams plays Sy, another of his open-faced, smiling madmen, like the killer inInsomnia. He does this so well you don’t have the slightest difficulty accepting him in the role.”
One Hour Photoeven enjoyed some box office success, with the thriller making over $52 million against a budget of $12 million. Despite being warmly received at the time,One Hour Photoseems to have fallen into comparative obscurity, lost within the various gigantic performances in Robin Williams' career. It’s a shame, too, that the film has been flying-under-the-radar after debuting to relatively strong success 22 years ago. Of course,One Hour Photoisn’t lost forever, and those who want to see Robin Williams at the height of his talent would be remiss to not watch the film, which deserves its place in the spotlight.
One Hour Photo
Cast
One Hour Photo stars Robin Williams as Sy Parrish, a solitary photo technician at a department store who becomes obsessed with a family whose pictures he develops. The film, directed by Mark Romanek, explores themes of loneliness and voyeurism as Sy’s fascination with the seemingly perfect family spirals into unsettling territory.
