ONE WEEK

Cinemavixion Review

Buster Keaton's 1920 silent short, "One Week," remains a masterful exercise in comedic timing and architectural absurdity. As a newlywed, Keaton receives a "build-it-yourself" house kit as a wedding present, only for his romantic rival to maliciously swap the numbered crates. What ensues is a hilariously precarious structure, a testament to Keaton's unparalleled physical comedy as he and his bride, Sybil Seely, battle tilting walls, misplaced windows, and even a storm that spins the house into a dizzying vortex. The film, co-directed by Keaton and Edward F. Cline, expertly uses its scant runtime to deliver a cascade of sight gags and slapstick disasters, culminating in the utter destruction of their bizarre domicile. Despite the chaos, the film retains a touching narrative core, showcasing Keaton's genius for blending physical prowess with genuine storytelling. Its enduring popularity and critical acclaim, including a near-perfect rating on Rotten Tomatoes, solidify "One Week" as an essential piece of silent cinema history.