One Week

One Week

Year: 2008

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: English

Director: Michael McGowan

DramaAdventureMoving relationship storiesCharming romances and delightful chemistryPowerful stories of heartbreak and suffering

Facing a bleak prognosis after a cancer diagnosis, Ben Tyler forgoes immediate treatment and embarks on a cross‑country motorcycle journey, traveling from Toronto across the Canadian prairies to British Columbia, confronting his mortality and searching for meaning along the open road.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – One Week (2008)

Explore the full timeline and setting of One Week (2008). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 2000s

The narrative unfolds in contemporary Canada, anchored to the era around the film's release. It follows a present-day journey across the country, reflecting modern travel culture and medical realities of the time. The time period situates Ben's cross-country adventure within a realistic, current context rather than a distant past.

Location

Toronto, Ontario, Rural Saskatchewan, Banff National Park, Alberta, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

The story begins in urban Toronto before sweeping across Canada's diverse landscapes. It travels through the prairie stretches of Saskatchewan, ascends to the alpine scenery around Banff in Alberta, and ends along the coastal charm of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The settings shift from busy city life to remote countryside and spectacular nature, framing the protagonist's inner voyage with a vivid geographic arc.

🏙️ City 🗺️ Canada 🏞️ Countryside 🏔️ Mountains

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:32

Main Characters – One Week (2008)

Meet the key characters of One Week (2008), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Ben Tyler (Joshua Jackson)

A young elementary school English teacher in Toronto who faces an aggressive cancer diagnosis. He is introspective, restless, and determined to seize life with a final grand adventure before treatment begins. His journey tests love, ambition, and the meaning of a life lived on his own terms.

🎭 Protagonist 💪 Determined 🧭 Seeker 🏍️ Adventurer

Samantha Pierce (Liane Balaban)

Ben's fiancée who despises motorcycles and initially resists his cross-country trip. She is practical and deeply invested in their future, but their religious differences and the dream-versus-duty tension strain their relationship. Her perspective drives crucial choices about commitment and compromise.

💬 Partner 💔 Conflicted 🧭 Pragmatic ❤️ Believer

Tracey (Emm Gryner)

A backpacker Ben meets in the backcountry; with her dog, she challenges his self-imposed limits and provides a moment of intimate connection. Their encounter underscores themes of risk, honesty, and reinvention.

🎒 Explorer 🐕 Companion 🗣️ Honest 🌟 Catalyst

Mary Tyler (Fiona Reid)

Ben's mother, a steady anchor for the family. She navigates concern for her son while supporting familial bonds, embodying care, resilience, and the weight of collective hope during a time of crisis.

👩‍👦 Family 🫶 Caregiver 🧡 Supportive

Narrator (Campbell Scott)

The voice guiding the audience through Ben's journey, framing the cross-country odyssey as a memoir. The narrator punctuates the story with reflective insight, culminating in the revelation of One Week as a memoir of Ben's travels.

🎙️ Narration 🧭 Framing 📚 Memoir

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:32

Major Themes – One Week (2008)

Explore the central themes of One Week (2008), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🏍️ Adventure

Ben's decision to leave his routine behind is driven by a need to seize life despite a terminal diagnosis. The motorcycle trip becomes a metaphorical quest to reclaim youth, artistic dreams, and a sense of control in the face of mortality. The journey foregrounds risk, exploration, and the thrill of chasing meaning over conformity.

❤️ Relationships

The film probes how love adapts to impossible circumstances. Samantha's pragmatic, skeptical stance clashes with Ben's longing for freedom, testing the boundaries of commitment and compatibility. The evolving dynamic reveals the tension between personal dreams and shared life plans, ultimately shaping Ben's choices.

🧭 Self-discovery

Across diverse landscapes, Ben confronts past disappointments and unspoken hopes. He reevaluates his talents, his fear of failure, and what he truly wants from life. The trip becomes a crucible for maturity, where choices reveal his deepest values and priorities.

🏔️ Nature & Journey

The Canadian wilderness acts as a mirror and catalyst for transformation. Mountains, forests, and coastlines mark stages of Ben's inner journey, offering beauty, danger, and moments of clarity. The landscape underscores the idea that nature can illuminate purpose and courage.

🤝 Connection

Chance encounters—with a rancher, a backpacker, and others—highlight how kindness and human contact influence growth. Each meeting reframes Ben's sense of belonging and responsibility, demonstrating that supportive bonds can alter destinies for multiple people.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:32

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Unlock the Full Story of One Week

Don't stop at just watching — explore One Week in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what One Week is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

One Week Summary

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One Week Summary

One Week Timeline

Track the full timeline of One Week with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

One Week Timeline

One Week Spoiler-Free Summary

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One Week Spoiler-Free Summary

More About One Week

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More About One Week

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