10 MPH

10 MPH is an indie documentary that was released in 2007, directed by Hunter Weeks and starring an eclectic mix of personalities, including Josh Caldwell, Johnathan F. Keough, and Alon Waisman among others. The film tells a unique and deeply engaging tale of a cross-country journey that underscores some truly profound aspects of the human condition, while festooning the story with a lot of humor and charm.

The plot centers around Josh Caldwell, who takes the lead role. Josh is a Seattle-based cinematographer who quits his mundane desk job and, instead of following the generic path in life, embarks on an unconventional journey across America. However, instead of using a car or a bike or any mainstream mode of transport, he embarks on the trip from Seattle to Boston on a Segway, which can only achieve the speed of 10 miles per hour, and hence the title of the film, 10 MPH.

The film documents Josh’s Segway-transcontinental expedition, reflecting the less-treaded path used by the unique mode of travel. The relatively sluggish speed of the Segway allows the film to capture the minutiae of the roadside culture of America in finely-tuned detail — it showcases the untapped beauty that often gets lost in the high-speed world of interstate highways. These nuggets of momentary observations foster an environment of deeper connectivity and more intimate interactions.

Through Josh's lens, you can experience the diversity of landscape, behavior, and cultures that make America. Hunter Weeks, the director, brilliantly captures the vibrantly colorful, sometimes peculiar tapestry of American landscapes and its people.

Accompanying Josh in his singular journey are some incredibly significant characters, including Johnathan F. Keough and Alon Waisman. Johnathan, among others, forms a camper crew who follows Josh on his journey, and this dynamic creates some jarringly authentic and interesting human interactions during the course of the film. Their contributions and input help weave the multi-faceted fabric of Josh’s experiences and provide a greater depth to the story.

One of the key themes reflected in the documentary is the portrayal of an ordinary individual's struggle against monotony and going beyond societal boundaries. Josh dreams about this monumental journey, and despite uncalculable odds, he sets out on the mission and translates it into a reality. It is an assertion of human will and the desire to break from mundane routines that often limit one's potential and capabilities.

10 MPH is interspersed with humor and quirky moments that add a lot of charm to the film. It artfully interweaves the larger philosophical questions about life and purpose with smaller, more jovial moments, creating a balanced narrative that is not just introspective but also entertaining.

The film, despite its unconventional premise, manages to be a perfect reflection of human resilience, individuality and determination to innovate. By employing an ordinary individual in an equally ordinary setting, the movie mirrors an unusual version of the American Dream — one that combines a simple will towards freedom and exploration with a touch of humor and eccentricity.

The documentary, with its effective and efficient storytelling, stands as a testament of how simplicity can be intricately profound. As it delves into the personal journey of Josh Caldwell, it also undeniably reflects upon relevant societal themes regarding the pace of modern life. While it moves at only 10 mph, like Josh's Segway, the viewers are led on a journey that seems to traverse through the entirety of the human experience.

With 10 MPH, Hunter Weeks craftily tells a story that is both deeply personal and universally relatable, all within a seemingly straightforward format of a travel documentary. Ultimately, the film serves as a contemplative piece of cinema that prompts viewers to reflect their own life's pace and think about the things they might be missing out on in the bigger, and faster, external world.