Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- wistful
- contemplative
- melancholic
- quiet evening
- reflective weekend
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film sincere and gently performed, with Canadian scenery and third-person narration as strengths, but regarded its mortality storyline and presentation as familiar and underpowered.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Ben learns he has stage IV cancer and rides west rather than immediately beginning treatment.
Ben frames his trip as a search for Grumps, a mythical figure from his childhood, alongside visits to roadside attractions.
Campbell Scott provides the film's third-person narration and broader reflective commentary.
Ben travels west from Toronto through distinctive Canadian landscapes while photographing world's largest roadside attractions.
Films like One Week, and why
The Straight Story
introspective road movie centered on mortality, self-discovery, and an emotionally guarded protagonist
Wild
reflective journey narrative combining scenic travel, personal reckoning, and understated emotional drama
The Bucket List
bittersweet cancer drama using humor, travel, and existential reflection to explore how to live under a terminal prognosis
Ikiru
quiet coming-to-terms drama about mortality, relationships, and choosing a less conventional path
Movie Details
- Director
- Michael McGowan
- Release Date
- 2008-09-08
- Runtime
- 94 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (142)
Cast
- Campbell Scott
- Joshua Jackson
- Liane Balaban
- Marc Strange
- Gage Munroe
- Deirdre Kirby
- Fiona Reid
- Chuck Shamata
- Caroline Cave
- Jodi Brooks
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is One Week about?
- After a terminal diagnosis, a cautious Toronto man trades treatment plans for a motorcycle pilgrimage across Canada in search of meaning.
- What is One Week like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of One Week as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is One Week violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in One Week as mild.
- What did critics think of One Week?
- Critics broadly found the film sincere and gently performed, with Canadian scenery and third-person narration as strengths, but regarded its mortality storyline and presentation as familiar and underpowered.
- Which films are like One Week?
- Films with a similar feel include The Straight Story, Wild, The Bucket List, and Ikiru.
- How long is One Week?
- One Week runs 94 minutes.
- Where can I watch One Week?
- In United States, One Week is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube.
