MovieChat Forums > One Hour Photo (2002) Discussion > The rocking horse

The rocking horse

posted 3 years ago by iLikeTurtles (2)
3 replies | jump to latest

There is a scene in this film just after Sy is fired. He’s in his vehicle outside SavMart waiting for the Yorkin’s to come and collect the photos for Jake.

While Nina is in the store Sy looks out his vehicle window and there is a child’s electric toy rocking horse ( normally 25c for a go etc). The ride is operating but there is no rider or child to be seen. The static camera stays on the rocking horse for a few seconds before going back to the Sy continuing the surveillance.

Now it may be nothing at all but I feel like we as the audience are to interpret this as a metaphor but I have no idea what it can be. Does anyone have any suggestions or am I overthinking this small insignificant scene?

Let me know what you think.

- I Like Turtles

[–] carlospc (15) 2 years ago

To me it's a materialization of the desire of Sy to fuck Nina. It's strange and out of nowhere because it's something that is deep in Sy's mind.

[–] russfro (115) 2 years ago

In the commentary, after Robin Williams draws attention to this part by saying “this was always a weird moment when you cut to the horse”, the director (seemingly reluctantly) says “These things are meant to be ambiguous. I don’t really like to explain them away. It’s just… reminds him once again he’s like the guy that’s going to come in and save the day on horseback, you know.”

[–] Ticketsplease (4024) 2 years ago

It's just a random visual thrown in.

Video clips used to do this in the 90s.

It's arty.