Whilst the Cold War may have begun shortly after the end of World War II, it was during the 1960s and 1980s where tensions were at their height. This is reflected in the cinema of the time. The ‘60s saw films such as Dr. Strangelove, The War Game and Fail Safe whilst the ‘80s produced the likes of Threads, WarGames and The Day After. Miracle Mile was released in 1988, towards the dying days of the ‘conflict’. Writer/director Steve De Jarnatt creates a nuclear romance.
For Harry (Anthony Edwards) and Julie (Mare Winningham) it’s love at first sight. After an afternoon together, the pair agree to meet-up when her shift finishes at a diner. After oversleeping, Harry arrives several hours late. His disappointment turns to astonishment when he answers the pay phone outside and is told that there’s less than seventy minutes until a nuclear was is going to breakout. After convincing the late-night patrons, they form a plan to escape by helicopter. He must collect Julie and transport her across town before it’s too late.
Miracle Mile is a master of disguise. Starting out like a rom com, it jumps through a number of genres by the time we reach the breathless end. Indeed, the way De Jarnatt plays with form and structure is highly refreshing. He also keeps the audience guessing until the end, with the tone oscillating between light-hearted disbelief and wide-eyed terror. Miracle Mile is a winning mixture of romantic drama, apocalyptic horror and unlikely road trip.
Special Edition Contents:
Miracle Mile is released on dual format DVD & Blu-ray by Arrow Video on 16 October.
