One Week - Das Abenteuer seines Lebens

One Week is the movie that I've been waiting for my whole life.

Michael McGowan has created a beautiful piece of Canadian art. The style is very reminiscent of great artists like Bruce McDonald and Don McKellar. This film certainly pulled at my heart strings having been to most of the places in this film. As well, Joshua Jackson's performance was stellar.

I feel so lucky that my wife and I had the pleasure of viewing this film on opening night which received quite a reception and was topped off with a standing ovation. I've never clapped at a movie before.

Sincerely, Christopher Landry

A well filmed and decently thought out little picture. No, it did not have a lot of the bells and whistles and geegaws of a lot of bigger productions and they could have done a better job with the whole "This Is Canada" thing, but what the hell, did anyone stick around to see the production company and studio information at the end of the end credits? This was not a big-budget Hollywood picture and it did quite well, in my opinion, in spite of all that. I spent a summer in White River and I have a picture somewhere of myself in front of that sign, and remember a good many of the places in the film from two cross country trips when I was a kid. As for all the commentary about the silliness an contrite-ness of Ben's actions throughout the film, we should remember that this is a man who has been given the worst case scenario- terminal illness. Who among us would react rationally? What would we do if we were told we had one week, one month, one year to live? Ben himself gave us his reasons in a nutshell he was, in his words, "over prepared, over insured" what the hell would I do in that exact same situation? Probably exactly what he did, although I wouldn't try to tackle the Rockies on a motorcycle. Maybe a real nice convertible!

I had the privilege of being in the audience for the premiere screening of One Week last night in Toronto. As with many Canadian films, the lack of an appreciative audience was evident by many empty seats in Roy Thompson Hall. However, for those of us who were in attendance, we were treated to an incredibly funny (in a tragic way typical of many Canadian films) and touching film. Joshua Jackson (notably absent from the premiere), showed a great range and presented a complex, well-developed character. The scenery was beautiful and there were many Canadian touches to the film - the audience in particular seemed to enjoy the references to Tim Horton's and Canadian Tire. However, the story has a universal theme and will hopefully go on to be enjoyed by a wider audience from around the world.

This is another movie that if I did not have Netflix I most likely would have never seen. Having Netflix has led me to some really good movies like this one that I am so glad to have seen. This movie grabbed my attention with the opening scene so much so that I stopped it, called my wife in and asked her to watch it with me. I restarted it and not only did we enjoy watching it, but occasionally paused it to discuss the scene we had just watched.

Numerous times we laughed out loud during it and other times our eyes watered up. What a well told heart touching movie. Joshua Jackson did a great job in his role. I actually am one that thinks that Joshua Jackson, James Van Der Beek and Michelle Williams from the TV show Dawson's Creek are very good actors, though James has not been given the break he needs yet IMO. My wife and I both recommend this to others to watch and enjoy. Who knew there were so many statues in Canada? Another movie that I say "well done" and am glad to have spent some time to have watched it.

In my opinion, One Week is one of the best Canadian films to date. I enjoyed it even more than Men with Brooms (which is saying a lot).

I loved taking the journey with Ben. The narrator adds a bit more depth to the plot, as we find how Ben touches various lives along the way. The beautiful scenery (which as a Canadian I take for granted) is visually stunning.

Ben's story in itself is both sad and heart-warming. For those weary of a sad ending, don't be - You will leave the theatre happy and inspired.

I will gladly recommend this movie to all my fellow Canucks and anyone else in the world.