Mile Zero

Canadian director Andrew Currie's Mile Zero is an overwrought but interesting tragedy about a father, Derek (Michael Riley), whose anguish over separation from his young son, Will (Connor Widdows), following a divorce, leads to poor judgment and wobbly sanity. After a failed suicide attempt, Derek focuses on suspicions that his ex-wife's new boyfriend may be a pedophile, giving Derek the excuse he needs to kidnap Will in an impossible scheme to find paradise together in the mountains--but Will sees through his dad's mad desperation. What works best about this drama is the painful fact that none of the principals (including Will's mom, played mostly in flashback by Sabrina Grdevich) ever want the same things as those they most love. Unfortunately, Derek's unrelenting bad luck and warped perspective eventually begin to seem a little ridiculous, although lead actor Riley--reminiscent of a young John Cassavetes--is solid in the role. Optional. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Andrew Currie, nine minutes of interviews with Currie and costars Michael Riley and Sabrina Grdevich, five deleted scenes with optional commentary (17 min.) including an alternate ending, two minutes of B-roll footage, cast and director text bios, a photo gallery, weblinks and a trailer. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an interesting if problematic drama.] (T. Keogh)