Again, here's another movie where Robin Williams
departs from his fun friendly demeanor in exchange
for a darker unnerving role.
As a clerk at a local photo shop, he becomes
fixated (through their snapshots) on a nearby family
that appears to have the perfect life. A lonely
Williams finds family life vicariously through this
seeming post-card clan and their pictures.
Subtly dark (grayish actually) and unnerving, if
you don't mind being disturbed in a "molestation
threat" kind of way, you might enjoy this
picture.
Good performances by all, but nothing over the
top. And fairly well executed, but this was just not
going to be a story that I was going to enjoy. You
might be different.
My only tidbit of constructive comment: Although
well written, the overdubbed commentary by Williams
somehow slowed the already gentle pace.
Here's an interesting bite from the production
notes: The family's name "Yorken" is a play on the
words "Your Kin." Also, writer/director mark Romanek
may be better known for his many music videos for
Madonna, nine Inch Hails, Fiona Apple, Beck, Lenny
Kravitz, Macy Gray, etc.
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