| Overall Grade: |
A- |
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| Story: |
B+ |
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| Acting: |
A |
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| Direction: |
B+ |
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| Visuals: |
A |
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One of Williams' Best Performances
by Yahoo! Movies User (movies profile)
May 21, 2007
8
of
10 people found this review helpful
Seeing films like Good Morning, Vietnam! and Death to Smoochy, we see elements of the earnestness and complexity of Robin Williams. However, only since Good Will, Hunting and Imsomnia has the comedian really showed a seriousness and skill that deserves appreciation. While the screenplay helps to develop the world of Williams' Sy Parrish, his restraint and demur actions help to complete the portrait of Sy Parrish. The screenplay is an outstanding first effort for Mark Romanek (director of Nine Inch Nails' "Closer" Music video among others). Sy could easily be painted as the typical raging repressed psychopath that seems a cliche in thrillers of this nature. Romanek, however, takes the road less traveled, one that gives us the lonliness and despair that dominates Sy's existence. He wants what everyone needs and most of us take for granted -- a family that accepts him. This motivation is so well realized that every action of Sy's, no matter how extreme, is not only believable, but very sympathetic. In a way, Romanek has created a new Norman Bates. Yes, the abusive childhood cliche is a critical phase in his personality, but anyone who understands the psychology of child abuse suvivors knows that most of Sy's reactions are within reason. When his dream world is violated, we believe and almost take part in his retaliation. Finally, the cinematography by Jeff Cronenweth is outstanding. This should be no suprise coming from the son of Jordan Cronenweth (the master cinematographer of "Blade Runner"). The choice of harsh, sterilizing flouescent lights not only takes us into Sy's head, but also creates the feeling of being in a sanitorium with aisles. This becomes even more prevalent in the film's crtical dream sequence. The store, while providing shelter for Sy, also acts as his prison, trapping him inside his own idealized reality. In the end, this is an outstanding first effort all around for Mark Romanek. Excellent screenplay, brilliant cinematography, and a provoactive and moving turn for Robin Williams make this a film nearly on level with "Psycho", although with much greater restraint and less skill than Hitchcock. Highly recommended. |
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