One Mile: Chapter One is a desperate and dirty action thriller that deals with the extent to which a father would do to save his family. The novel tells the story of Daniel Beckett, a retired U.S. Army Special Forces veteran soldier who is attempting to reunite with his alienated wife and daughter, Alex. The journey that they go on a road trip to explore potential colleges goes dark after they discover an off-grid community at a distant lake camping ground. Then, their peaceful trip turns into the fight of survival when the community tries to kidnap Alex, retrieving her with the help of his military experience, Danny has to struggle to save her.
The movie is also outstanding in creating a tense and claustrophobic mood, with the wilderness being an unfriendly and unpredictable enemy. The loneliness and the primal beauty of the distant location are worked out with the help of the cinematography, the suspense is enhanced with the help of the sound design incorporating hints of danger hidden in the shadows. The flow maintains the action close, interspersed with scenes of silent desperation and action movie scenes that reveal the ingenuity and fighting skills of Danny. The human heart of the story, a lost father struggling to rescue his daughter is touching and brings more urgency and dirt to the narrative.
What impressed me the most was the depiction of the strength of the spirit and the will to live despite unattainable challenges. One Mile is a rough visceral presentation of a man who has been pushed to the edge and must struggle not only to survive, but to redeem himself and love. It is a striking combination of suspense, action, and emotional richness that will make an impact and stay in your mind; an adrenaline rush with a heart.
