Directed by: Michael McGowan Running Time: 1h 34min
I can still hear the Sam Roberts song that has become synonymous with this film, a road movie love letter to Canada (with a disregard for the East Coast--every bit as beautiful but apparently not in line with this film's direction). It's a classic marriage of movie and music that becomes a defining memory of each medium.
Not since Goin' Down the Road has a film been driven to be more "Canadian" in its unabashed depiction of Canadian travel and imagery. This is opposed to the more typical disguising of Canadian landmarks in Canadian films trying to appear American, or to an even greater extent, American films shooting in Canada that try to disguise Canadian cities, while neglecting the huge Sam the Record Man spinning records lights in the background.) Indeed, One Week picks up exactly where Garth and Gord and Fiona and Alice left off in Toronto, taking Joshua Jackson's character on a cross road adventure as far west as he can go in Canada.
The premise is universal and philosophical. What would you do if you were told you had one week to live? In true Canadian fashion, the film takes a low key approach to the lead character's response, as he reexamines his life. Narration by Campbell Scott elevates the film, as he is the Canadian equivalent of Morgan Freeman, a voice like no other. His comedic reading coupled with Jackson's subtle acting generate a lot of non-verbal emotion, tension, and revelation.
Though the film takes a few shortcuts towards its conclusion, the old adage, "less is more" applies in this instance. Oftentimes, Canadians film come up short due to budget constraints or the like, but this film's abruptness works, as it leaves the viewer with more to think about, more to contemplate should we find ourselves in the lead character's shoes. It begs us to take less for granted, and to get out and see this great, big, beautiful country of ours. Not a perfect film by any means, but a satisfying slice of Canadiana that is best seen in theatres, if not in real life.
Grade: B+
I can still hear the Sam Roberts song that has become synonymous with this film, a road movie love letter to Canada (with a disregard for the East Coast--every bit as beautiful but apparently not in line with this film's direction). It's a classic marriage of movie and music that becomes a defining memory of each medium.
Not since Goin' Down the Road has a film been driven to be more "Canadian" in its unabashed depiction of Canadian travel and imagery. This is opposed to the more typical disguising of Canadian landmarks in Canadian films trying to appear American, or to an even greater extent, American films shooting in Canada that try to disguise Canadian cities, while neglecting the huge Sam the Record Man spinning records lights in the background.) Indeed, One Week picks up exactly where Garth and Gord and Fiona and Alice left off in Toronto, taking Joshua Jackson's character on a cross road adventure as far west as he can go in Canada.
The premise is universal and philosophical. What would you do if you were told you had one week to live? In true Canadian fashion, the film takes a low key approach to the lead character's response, as he reexamines his life. Narration by Campbell Scott elevates the film, as he is the Canadian equivalent of Morgan Freeman, a voice like no other. His comedic reading coupled with Jackson's subtle acting generate a lot of non-verbal emotion, tension, and revelation.
Though the film takes a few shortcuts towards its conclusion, the old adage, "less is more" applies in this instance. Oftentimes, Canadians film come up short due to budget constraints or the like, but this film's abruptness works, as it leaves the viewer with more to think about, more to contemplate should we find ourselves in the lead character's shoes. It begs us to take less for granted, and to get out and see this great, big, beautiful country of ours. Not a perfect film by any means, but a satisfying slice of Canadiana that is best seen in theatres, if not in real life.
Grade: B+
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