A part of self curse which the United States imposed onto itself when it created then dropped two atomic bombs on civilians in Japan was that, they had created a new precedent. War tactics that were used on places like Dresden But were less devastating started back then. Up until that point, pre-industrial warfare impacted civilian populations as well which was not uncommon. There was something more. The atomic bomb was not simply a tool to wreak destruction; rather, it was an agent of mass destruction. It was genocide in a very small box. Once you do that to another society, America would be too unstable as the dread of having it done to them hung in the air. They overlooked the fact that there are not many societies on this planet that are as sociopathic as the United States.
Harry (Anthony Edwards) encounters Julie (Mare Winningham) at the La Brea Tar Pits, and infatuation intertwines their destiny. After spending the entire day with one another, they decide to meet again at midnight, but thanks to a storm, Harry’s alarm clock doesn’t ring. By the time he stirs and reaches the 24-hour diner where Julie, Now, Julie leaves for home. He goes to a phone booth to ring her, when the phone starts ringing, Harry lifts the receiver thinking it is Julie. However, on the other end is a demented and agitated man predicting a nuclear holocaust. He is affiliated with a governmental center, but before he divulges further information, there’s gunfire. He is not sure if he is being made fun of, but later, with the other patrons and kitchen staff, he shares this. Things are only going from bad to worse so far.
For about four decades the United States brooded over nuclear panic. Of course today there is fear mongering over nations like North Korea or Iran, but it’s easy to ascertain that those nations have no desire to initiate a conflict, rather want to defend themselves if needed to. After all, the collapse of the Soviet Union made it much more difficult for American institutions to maintain that sustained level of agitation that existed worldwide during the Cuban missile crisis. One of the movies that were made just about the time the cold war was coming to an end and that portrays the apocalyptic vision is Miracle Mile.
However, if this was just the basis of the movie, it would not be as memorable as it is. The endless despair depicted in the movie balances out the more tender moments. The level of effort that Harry has to go through in order to locate Julie is absurd, and when he does finally meet her, he tries to ensure that both of them leave Los Angeles at the earliest slot available. He hears someone talking about a helicopter that would shuttle passenger from the downtown high-rise to L.A. airport. The couple arrive, but there are no pilots available. He leaves Julie on the building top while he goes in search of a pilot. When he finally manages to get one, she isn’t on the roof anymore.
Such feelings regularly accompany any crazy dream and a nightmare or if you feel anxious. It feels as if someone or something out there is watching you. A voice echoes in your head that tells you you’re about to lose. I will not further prolong the introduction and will now state the subject explicitly. The nightmare I had as a child was not while I was asleep it was a memory recall. In my dream, there were people walking outside a family house situated in the woods of Tennessee. I would run all over the house making sure the windows and the front door were shut and locked but when I would check afterwards I would find windows unlocked. The feeling of despair is aptly communicated to the viewers by Miracle Mile. The Tangerine Dream’s original score also augments the nightmarish feel of it. For all that you believe that you have a situation under control, it eludes you as soon as you avert your gaze.
Miracle Mile is in a curious position. It’s grappling with the anguish of pending nuclear apocalypse with its theme of true will defeat all. There are times it becomes too surreal, like a hyperreality soaked in neon’s and glitches. I find it even more bizarre when helicopter pilot Harry meets character actor Bryan Thompson a man I have always associated with the many aliens and monsters and bad guy (especially in the 80s) he often played.
With the atomic bombs dropped, there is a glimmer of hope towards the ending, unlike near the end where there is no way out of the situation. It goes without saying that time is not on our side, and ways to get out are gradually disappearing. However, things get a little more intense as we venture forward. I have also exchanged such sentiments on Threads, the British British thriller about the escalations of the cold war, which is even more grim than this American style one. In Hollywood movies, normal people get depressed after end of times. It’s dystopian and leads to apocalyptic visions, but it’s not the approach to make it in a proper world. Perhaps again so magical about western films, so touchingly naïve, knowing the real history of the war. At the end there is a huge explosion to sweeten the deal, and we never have to deal with reality.
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