One Week

"One Week" chronicles the tumultuous first seven days of married life for a young couple, portrayed by Buster Keaton and Sybil Seely. As a wedding present, they receive a build-it-yourself house in a box, with instructions to assemble it in one week. However, a disgruntled former suitor of the bride secretly renumbers the packing crates, leading to a hilariously distorted and unstable construction.

The film follows their daily struggles and calamitous attempts to build a life together amidst the architectural absurdity. From a house that spins like a merry-go-round during a storm to doors that open to perilous drops, their dream home quickly becomes a comical deathtrap. Their perseverance is tested at every turn, culminating in a frantic effort to move the misplaced house before it's demolished by an oncoming train.

"One Week" is a comedic exploration of the trials and tribulations of newly married life and the pursuit of the American dream. The chaotic construction of the house serves as a metaphor for the challenges and uncertainties a couple faces as they attempt to build a life together. The film suggests that love, resilience, and a sense of humor are essential for navigating the unpredictable and often absurd obstacles that life throws in one's path. Ultimately, it's a testament to the enduring spirit of a couple who, even when their dreams literally fall apart, still have each other.

While primarily a slapstick comedy, "One Week" can be interpreted in several ways. Some see it as a surrealist film, with the distorted, nightmarish house reflecting the absurdity of modern life. The illogical construction and the characters' acceptance of it create a dreamlike (or nightmarish) logic that aligns with surrealist sensibilities. The film's gags often defy the laws of physics, pushing it beyond simple comedy into the realm of the fantastical.

Another interpretation views the film through a more philosophical lens, seeing the couple's struggle as a metaphor for the human condition. They strive to create order and meaning in a chaotic universe, but their efforts are ultimately futile. The final destruction of the house could be seen as a nihilistic punchline, suggesting the indifference of the universe to human endeavor. However, the couple walking away together at the end offers a more optimistic reading, emphasizing the importance of human connection and resilience in the face of meaninglessness.

Released in 1920, "One Week" established Buster Keaton as a major comedic force and set the template for his future work, which would be characterized by intricate visual gags, breathtaking stunts, and a stoic, deadpan persona. The film was a top-grossing release of 1920 and was met with critical acclaim, with critics praising its originality and comedic brilliance. Film critic Walter Kerr later wrote, "To sit through dozens and dozens of short comedies of the period and then to come upon One Week is to see the one thing no man ever sees: a garden at the moment of blooming."

The film's satirical take on the American Dream and the anxieties surrounding modernization resonated with post-WWI audiences. The idea of a prefabricated, build-it-yourself home was a very contemporary topic, and Keaton's parody of it was both timely and timeless. The film's influence can be seen in countless comedies that followed, particularly those that use a physical space (like a house) as a central source of gags and conflict. Its blend of slapstick, surrealism, and subtle social commentary has ensured its place as a landmark of silent comedy and a work of significant cultural and historical importance, as recognized by its inclusion in the National Film Registry.

"One Week" was a major success with audiences in 1920, becoming one of the top-grossing films of the year. Viewers were captivated by Buster Keaton's incredible physical comedy, the innovative and daring stunts, and the film's relentless pace of inventive gags. Sybil Seely's charming and game performance as the bride was also praised, creating a likable and modern-feeling couple that audiences could root for.

The film's humor has proven to be timeless, and it is still widely praised today by both critics and general audiences for its comedic genius and technical brilliance. The sight gags, particularly the spinning house and the falling facade, are considered iconic moments in cinema history. There is little to no criticism of the film; it is almost universally regarded as a masterpiece of the silent comedy genre and a perfect introduction to the work of Buster Keaton.