Summary

Isolated by loneliness, photo developer Sy Parrish spirals headlong into obsession with the private lives of long-time customers, the Yorkin family. Through the years of developing the Yorkins' snapshots, Sy deludes himself into believing that he is a member of a family that barely knows he exists. The fine line between Sy's fantasies and reality begins to blur as Sy injects his presence into various family members' lives. Ultimately, it is a family crisis that catapults Sy from voyeur to vigilante in a twist that pushes him and the Yorkins to the brink.

Quotes

Sy (narrated)
The red-eye effect in a photograph is the result of light rays when a camera flashes. Or any other bright light source entering the dilated pupils and reflecting back the color red.

Sy (narrated)
Family photos do keep smiling faces. Births, weddings, holidays, children's birthday parties--
People take pictures of the happy moments in their lives. Someone looking through a photo album could conclude we had led a joyous, leisurely existence. Free of tragedy. No one ever takes a picture of something they want to forget.

Sy (narrated)
I'm sure my customers never think about it, but these snapshots are their little stand against the flow of time... the shutter clicks, the flash goes off and they've stopped time. These family snapshots are all that stands between us and total oblivion.
And if these pictures have anything important to say to future generations, it's this: I was here. I existed. I was young, I was happy and someone cared enough about me in this world... to take my picture.

Sy
I just took pictures.

Sy
How is Jake doing?
Nina
Oh, he's fine. Just had a birthday and, uh...
Sy
Oh. How old is he? Nine?
Nina
That's right, he just turned nine.
Sy
Nine.         Here we go. Got a winner. When do you need these by?
Nina
Uhm, by today.
Sy
Oh, we close at 7 on Sundays.
Nina
Oh, well, it's not important, I can--I can swing by tomorrow.
Sy
I'll get them done for ya.
Nina
No, it's okay, really.
Sy
Mrs. Yorkin, you're one of our best costumers. I'll have them for you by the time we close.
Nina
Thank you so much.
Sy
No problem.
Nina
I have to get some shopping done.
Sy
I'll see you in 40 minutes.
Nina
Thanks, Sy. Bye.
Sy
Bye.

Sy (narrated)
I've done POS mini-lab work for over 20 years now. I consider it an important job. I work with priceless objects. When people's houses are on fire, what's the first thing they save after their loved ones and pets are safe... The family photos.
Most people wouldn't consider this a job of craft, but it is. The way I look at it, the mini-lab machine is like a musical instrument. And like any musical instrument it can be played exquisitely... or poorly depending on the skill of the performer.
Some people think this is a job for a clerk. They actually believe that any idiot who attends a two-day seminar can master the art of making beautiful prints in less than an hour. But, of course, like most things, there's far more to it than meets the eye.

Sy
I see someone had quite a birthday party. I did them 5 x 7 for you.
Nina
Oh, I wanted them 4 x 6.
Sy
Uhm... the larger ones are better. I didn't charge you extra for those.
Nina
Okay. It's okay, I guess. How much do I owe you, Sy?
Sy
Oh, $30.06... but let's call it an even 30.
Nina
Thanks.
Sy
You know, we have a special gift for birthday boys.
Nina
Really?
Sy
Mm-hmm. That's right. Birthday boys... get a free camera.
Nina
Wow. Jake, what do you say?
Jake
Thanks.
Sy
You're welcome, buddy!
Nina
We're taking Jake to Six Flags this weekend, so... I'll see you soon.
Sy
See ya.
Nina
Come on, Jake.
Jake
Bye.
Sy
See you, Jake.

Sy
What's wrong with these people? (early version)
What the hell is wrong with these people? (final/DVD version)

Sy (narrated)
For most of my customers, photography is not an art form. The natural part of family life. It's just something they do. A parent who didn't take pictures of their child, especially when they're small, might be considered indifferent.

Will
Hey, how did this one get in?
Nina
Oh, that's Sy.
Will
Sy?
Jake
Sy, the photo guy.
Nina
Oh yeah, Sy took it to finish our roll.
Will
Great, now we have a picture of Sy the photo guy.

Waitress
Can I get you anything else, Sy?
Sy
Oh no, thanks. Just the check will be fine.
Waitress
Whaddya got there? Family photos?
Sy
Yeah.
Waitress
Mind if I take a look? Mmh, these are beautiful. That's a good shot. These are your relations?
Sy
Yes, that's my little nephew Jake.
Waitress
He's a handsome boy, isn't he?
Sy
Yeah, I, uh--I got him a camera for his birthday.
Waitress
Oh, well, you must be his favorite uncle then.
Sy
Oh, yes.
Waitress
Sure I can't get you no more coffee there?
Sy
Oh, no, I'm fine. Thanks.
Waitress
Okay then. Have a nice night now.
Sy
You too.

Sy (narrated; only in rough cut version)
When we say we remember an experience from our childhood... do we really remember it? Or do we remember what the picture of it looked like in our photo album? Would we forget it if we didn't have a picture to remind us? Are we afraid that when we're old and senile, our memories will desert us, and we'll be left with nothing?

Sy (narrated; only in rough cut version)
There's no such thing as an innocent photograph. They're not dead things like some magazine lying in some shoe box. They cast spells.

Jake
I feel bad for someone.
Nina
Somebody at school?
Jake
No.
Nina
Then what do you mean, you feel bad?
Jake
When someone seems sad, they don't have many friends and people make fun of them. That makes me feel bad for him.
Nina
Who's sad and doesn't have many friends?
Jake
Sy.
Nina
The photo guy at the One Hour place?
Jake
Yeah.
Nina
Oh, Jake.
Jake
I really feel bad for him.
Nina
But Jake, we don't know that Sy's sad. I mean, we don't really know that much about him, you know. I mean, he might not have a lot of friends, he probably has a girlfriend and a mommy and a daddy who love him.
Jake
I don't think he does.
Nina
Ooh, that's so sweet of you to think of somebody else like that, you know. Listen, Jake, not everybody is as lucky as we are. You know, but maybe, if we send him good thoughts that will make him feel better. So why don't we close our eyes and send Sy some good thoughts?
Jake
Okay.
Nina
Okay? All right. Ready?
There, I bet next time we see Sy, he won't seem so sad.
Jake
Okay.

Will
Oh, excuse me, I'm trying to figure out if this will work for my Mac.
Sy
I'm sorry, this isn't my section.
You're Will Yorkin.
Will
Yeah.
Sy
Sy Parrish, I'm the photo tech here. I do all your family's pictures.
Will
Oh, right. Sy--Sy the photo guy.
Sy
Right. I just don't see you around that often.
Will
Uhm, well, Nina does most of the shopping. Uhm, can you help me with this?
Sy
Well, I wish I could, but this is computers and I do photo finishing. It's not my section.
Will
I'm in a little bit of a rush. I have one question and I need an answer.
Sy
Oh, no problem. I--I'll, uhm, get someone. Customer needs immediate assistance, aisle 4. Customer assistance, aisle 4. Someone will be here in just a minute.
Will
Great, thanks.
Sy
You got it. So, is the rest of the family here?
Will
Uh, Jake is around here somewhere.
Sy
You're a very lucky man, Mr. Yorkin.
Will
I'm sorry?
Sy
You have a wonderful family. And if you don't mind my saying so, a beautiful house too.
Will
Thank you, Sy. I-I-I appreciate that. I really need to get all the stuff and get the hell outta here.
Sy
Hey, I understand.
Will
Thanks for all your help.
Sy
Oh, it's okay. You say hello for me.
Will
I will do.
Sy
Ah, I have to be getting back. Someone will be here in just--there ya go.
Will
Oh, great. You know, it doesn't say if this will work for the Mac or not.

Will
Hey Sy.
Nina
I thought you were going out today?
Jake
Uncle Sy, could you help me put this together?

Nina
Oh my God.
Sy
What?
Nina
That's so weird. I'm reading that exact same book right now.
Sy
You're kidding?
Nina
No. I can't believe that you're reading that book of all books.
Sy
You know, he writes a lot about noticing coincidence, doesn't he?
Nina
Yes, he does.
Sy
That thing he says about fear. The things we fear the most... have already happened to us.
Nina
Wow. I had no idea you were such a deep thinker, Sy.
Sy
I wouldn't say that.
Nina
Do you have any children, Sy?
Sy
Me? No, I'm not married.
Nina
No girlfriend?
Sy
No. I have a snapshot of my mother, though.
Nina
She looks very nice.
Sy
She's passed away.
Nina
Oh, uh, I'm sorry, Sy. Gosh, you know, I have to go. Uhm, it was really nice chatting with you.
Sy
It was nice chatting with you.

Nina
Hey, Sy? Sy? Jake wanted to get his birthday gift processed.
Sy
I'm sorry?
Nina
The camera.
Sy
Right. Birthday gift. Number of sets?
Nina
Oh, just one is fine.
Sy
4 x 6, 5 x 7?
Nina
Uhm, the ones we usually get.
Sy
Standard.
Nina
Jake had a really great time with the camera, didn't ya, Jake?
Jake
Yeah.
Sy
What was that address again?
Nina
It's 326 Serano Terrace. Sy, are you all right?
Sy
I'm fine. I'll have these for you tomorrow.
Nina
Right. Thanks, Sy.
Sy
Bye.
Nina
Bye.

Bill
I'm letting you go.

Sy
I'm leaving early, Yoshi.
Yoshi
Okay, Sy.
Sy
I won't be coming back, Yoshi. Bill let me go today.
Yoshi
You're fired?
Sy
Yep.
Yoshi
Really?
Sy
Really.
Yoshi
Wow.
Sy
I really enjoyed working with you, Yoshi.
Yoshi
Yeah, me too, Sy. Sy? Sy, I just wanted to, uh--I just wanted to thank you, you know.
Sy
For what?
Yoshi
For teaching me all the stuff.
Sy
You're welcome, Yoshi. Don't let the place go downhill, okay?
Yoshi
I won't, Sy.

Sy (narrated)
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word "snapshot" was first used in 1908 by an English sportsman by the name of Sir Andrew Hawker. He noted in his diary that almost every bird he shot that day was taken by snapshot. Meaning a hurried shot, taken without deliberate aim. Snapshot, then... was originally a hunting term.

Van Der Zee
Sy, can I ask you a question?
Sy
Sure.
Van Der Zee
What was it about William Yorkin that upset you so? What did he do to provoke all of this?
Sy
Are you married, detective? Do you have any children?
Van Der Zee
That is none of your business.
Sy
You're right, that's none of my business. But I'm guessing by your answer and the ring on your finger that you are. That makes you a fortunate man. And I can tell by the way you've treated me so far and the way you carry out your job, you're a good man. Good husband, father. And I appreciate this good fortune. You'd never cheat on your wife, hurt your family. Betray their trust. You'd never neglect and abuse your children and make horrible demands of them. You'd never ask your children to do things--things that children shouldn't do! You'd never take disgusting, sick, degraded pictures of your children doing these things!!! You'd never treat your children like animals.
Will Yorkin has it all, and he threw it all away. He's not a good father.
Van Der Zee
Well, I think I understand now, Sy. Thank you for answering my question.
Sy
You're welcome. Can I see my pictures now?
Van Der Zee
Sure, Sy.
Sy
Thank you.