NR | 1h 30m | Mystery, Sci-Fi | 2020
The science fiction aspect of “One Step Ahead” doesn’t revolve around alien invasions or genetic super-soldiers, but rather its alternate reality setting. This is an alternate 1967, where modern technologies coexist with older aesthetics, giving it the charm of an old-school detective flick with a modern twist.
To clue in the viewers, the opening act is a series of news reports that explain how everything has evolved differently.
A Dangerous Pursuit
The film’s protagonist is James O'Dell (Robert James), a private detective struggling to make ends meet. His life is further complicated by a divorce from his seemingly mean-spirited wife, Nancy (Mary Simmons), who is also taking his house. To cope with his troubles, James turns to hard liquor, a habit that never ends well.As James navigates this alternate 1967, he finds himself entangled in a web of intrigue and danger. The blend of old and new technologies creates a unique backdrop for his investigations, adding intrigue to his journey. The film cleverly uses this setting to not only explore themes of change and adaptation, but also the consequences of turbo-charged technological advancement.
One day, a woman named Donna Newman (Amy Respini) approaches him with a job offer. Her husband was slain by a mysterious serial killer known for decapitating his victims, and the police have hit a dead end. The case has gone cold, with no new victims and few clues to follow.
James faces an uphill battle, but he has an ace up his sleeve: his old cop buddy Eric (Dan Hanvey), has access to the case files of the serial killings. James used to be on the force himself, but flashbacks hint at the murky circumstances that led to his departure.
Up-and-Coming Director
As a filmmaker, I can usually tell when I’m watching the work of up-and-coming directors, and this film definitely fits that group. One telltale sign
Letting actors settle into their roles and adding those small human touches, like a pause before a tough decision or a glance that betrays hidden emotions, can make a world of difference in successfully conveying a realistic performance.
That said, the film’s atmosphere was surprisingly well-executed. Right from the opening collage of news reports, I was drawn into its alternate history take on the 1960s. The mix of vintage aesthetics with modern tech, like cell phones, gave the world a unique, lived-in feel.
Retro-futurism isn’t new. “The Jetsons” and “Fallout” franchises have both played in this sandbox. But it was refreshing to see a take that didn’t feel like a carbon copy of past work.
Despite some rough edges in execution, it’s clear the filmmakers put thought into their world-building and stretched their budget well. The ambition is there, and with more experience and refinement, I’d be curious to see what they do next.
