Review of One Week (2008) by Jonathan G — 25 Mar 2012

This movie is a spectacular portrait of Canada that maybe only a small town Canadian can really appreciate. People who thought this movie was depressing need to lighten up. The story follows Ben, who finds out he has terminal cancer and decides to ride a newly bought motorcycle to Vancouver island from Toronto on the advice he gets from a roll up the rim cup.

The plot is inspiring and I think all of us hope that we can feel like he does in our lives. It's an especially fitting story because Ben could be nearly three quarters of this country, just another average Joe who keeps his head down through life and looks up when suddenly slammed with a new reality and wants more.

What's best about this movie is how they've layered it with obscure little glimpses as the obscure little places that most of this country is from. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Joshua Jackson eating outside Syl's drive in, Carman Manitoba, right across from the high school that I attended for a few years or go into St. Claude foods in an even more off the beaten path.

It's full of Canadiana and patriotism, mortality and life. Mostly it's about wanting to really live while you have the chance, examining what you really want out of life. I loved this movie and encourage everyone to see it.