MovieChat Forums > One Hour Photo (2002) Discussion > Why was the store so ridiculously, spotl...

Why was the store so ridiculously, spotlessly clean?

posted 8 years ago by jgroub
7 replies | jump to latest

The floors. The aisles. The photo area. Even the friggin' breakroom. Everything perfectly neat, and tidy, and organized. Everything on every aisle was perfectly lined up, with no empty spaces - except for when Sy picks up that teddy bear. There aren't even the displays on the ends of the aisles, like they have in every other store in existence to make the store look even sleeker.

What do you think that's all about? What effect are they going for by doing this?

I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.

[–] abajasds 8 years ago

I was thinking the same thing! You go to a Wal-Mart or Target it's not "spotless" some are damn near disgusting with clothes everywhere and things all out of place but in this movie the store's perfect order was as disturbing as Robin Williams's character. 😂

My job is to inform, not persuade- Dan Rather

[–] joshwinkler87 8 years ago

My local Target is very clean kind of like the store in this movie. The Wal-Mart on the other hand is a whole other story.

[–] fiatlux-1 8 years ago

I think the store's cleanliness was just another symbolic *likeness* to Sy.
Note how perfect he makes sure his uniform is, right down to the "smile" the company's shtick states. His work station is kept beyond spotless.

Sy takes his job seriously, his job is his life.

Note how he sees one stuffed animal on the floor, and stops to pick it up.

His apartment, even his car, is that clean and neat.

The store is kept spotless to create a sterile environment for the viewer.
Everything perfect, everything "in control". Its symbolic of Sy's perfect world.

Then later, when Sy's world begins to fall apart.....everything around him is in disarray as well.
Its all symbolic.

I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus.
Didn't he discover America?
Penfold, shush.

[–] jgroub 8 years ago

His apartment, even his car, is that clean and neat.

Well, his windshield was cracked. Meaning his view was askew.

I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.

[–] DontDisturbMyParadise 8 years ago

His customer service wasn't very good, when he was asked something by the husband. He said something like "I don't know, this is not my section", then he turned to walk away. You NEVER do that.

[–] fiatlux-1 8 years ago

I agree. I found it kind of odd that Sy acted that way, actually, given how Sy lives for his job there.
I figured he'd call someone for help right away, before realizing who Will was.

I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus.
Didn't he discover America?
Penfold, shush.

[–] MoviemanCin 7 years ago

I think that was symbolic of Sy's deranged mental state. Remember the old saying "A clean desk is a sign of a sick mind."

Schrodinger's cat walks into a bar and doesn't.