One Day

One Day is the film of David Nicholls' best selling novel, telling the story of friends Emma (Anne Hathaway) and Dexter (Jim Sturgess) from their graduation day in the late 1980’s and then moving forward a year at a time on the same date as we discover where they are in their respective relationships and lives. It's actually a neat trick and the attention to detail re fashions and music of each passing year is nicely portrayed, including Dexter's immersion of the lads culture of late 90's Britain. Though, why the need for a superimposed BT Tower at the start of the film (which sticks out like a sore thumb) is anyone's guess. You don’t need to be a genius to work out that this film is actually about whether Emma and Dexter get together. The key is whether you care or not. I think the audience will be split. On the one hand, though it’s basically story telling by numbers, it does work, and only the stoniest of hearts will not be slightly cracked come the end. On the other hand you can say this is a romance between, in their differing ways, two pretty unlikable characters as Emma is too wet and Dexter is basically an arse. Hathaway's got some serious stick for her Yorkshire accent, but it's virtually missing for most of the film, only popping up every now and then so it's not really a distraction. The problems with the film can either be laid at the feet of Nicholl’s himself (as screenwriter) for failing to transpose page to screen successfully or are Hathaway and Sturgess just mis-cast? (US audiences clearly weren’t interested). Director Lone Scherfig's pedestrian direction doesn't help, nor does the dodgy make-up on Sturgess. Guys, giving him a few grey hairs does not a 40-year-old make. Having said all that, overall, despite there being quite a lot of problems with the film, if you like this kind of thing you should be OK. Whether the rest of the audience is prepared to give the benefit of the doubt, is another matter entirely.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict

Well loved book, average film. Now, where have we heard that before? Rating: 6/10.