Since 1978, Icarus Films has been a leading distributor in North America of independent
In 1988, after years living abroad, renegade filmmaker Robert Kramer returns. “Back,” he emphasizes. Not “home.” To try to understand the country as it is, he decides to travel the entire length of Route 1, from the Canadian border to Key West, filming all the way. His companion on the trip is Doc—ostensibly Kramer’s friend, a brooding physician back after a harrowing decade working in Africa. But in fact, he’s a fictional character played by actor Paul McIsaac, a compassionate man who readily engages those he meets, from business owners, to factory workers and to army recruits.
For a road movie, ROUTE ONE/USA features few shots of the open road itself. Instead, we are treated to a series of stops along the way—an Indian reserve in Maine, Walden Pond, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC, a Georgia diner, Thanksgiving dinner at a homeless shelter, and evangelical churches that preach the “truth” about the anti-apartheid movement and the dangers of Disney. There are plenty of characters along the way too, and appearances by televangelist Pat Robertson and Jesse Jackson, as they campaign for president.
It’s not just the people who make the film though. Kramer has an extraordinary eye for people, patterns, and industrial processes (you’ll never look at Monopoly or tinned sardines the same way again), and his visuals shine through in this beautifully restored edition.
Though shot decades ago, ROUTE ONE/USA feels remarkably contemporary in its portrayal of many of the racial, social, and economic challenges America continues to face.
directed by: Robert Kramer
starring: Paul McIsaac
1989 / 254 min (combined) / 1.66:1 / English DTS-HD MA 2.0
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Overall rating: 4.75 / 5 from 24 reviews.
Review topics: ["documentary","release","capsule","film"].
"If you look enough you see everything is simple in the end. A documentary about going across the US, having conversations with folk is as simple as it gets. Documentary format is about following stories. Everyone is a story. Thank you for releasing this."
"Definitely for fans of visual documentaries so don’t sleep on this if you are."
"Wow what a release. I mean it's 4 hours long and it just flew by. One of the best documentary flims I've seen in a long time and the conversations between the main dude and the people he meets are really entertaining. Looking For Robert is the bonus film and ut makes me want to see more of Robert Kramers work. Fascinating guy!"
"great little time capsule"
"A real treasure this turned out to be. Lengthy, but never dull, a stream of American portraits, including potent snapshots of the honeymoon period leading up to the unholy matrimony between politics and religion that birthed the existential crisis we face today. Great slipcover, booklet, wonderful transfer. Bonus documentary! Get it."
"Very interesting"
"This is an excellent exploration of everyday America in the 80's. This is a chill documentary that really highlights a lot of the society and culture of America in the 1980's through interesting conversations and great landscape footage. There is one scene involving snakes that I had to skip, so heads up for other ophidiophobia sufferers out there. I would recommend this to fans of travelogue style documentaries!"
"Route One/USA is a slow, thoughtful road trip that captures a wide slice of American life in the late ’80s. It follows a doctor and a filmmaker as they meet people along Route 1, from Maine to Florida, having quiet but meaningful conversations. The film takes its time, but it sticks with you in a subtle, powerful way."
"Excellent release"
"This is the sort of release I'd love to see more of. A challenging art-house classic, finally available in the US in a beautiful HD upgrade, with beautiful packaging. The subject matter still resonates deeply. Powerful film!"
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