One Day Review

• 6th Feb 2012

I’d heard a lot about One Day when the book was released. I bought a copy for my mum for Christmas and I remember she cried like crazy throughout. A few months later I was surprised at how quickly they had made a film adaptation of it. Even more surprised when I saw the lead character was being played by Anne Hathaway. An American actress, playing an English character. I was dubious whether she could pull this off to be honest. So when I sat down to watch this film with my mum (having not read the book myself), I was preparing to hear angry yells about how unfaithful it was to the book. I could not have been more wrong… but onto that in a minute.

I’ll admit One Day is a strange film and it has made me want to read the book. The film follows two people, the shy and brainy Emma (Anne Hathaway) and the wild and impulsive Dexter (Jim Sturgess), who become friends after a near one night stand on July 15th 1988. As the story progresses the film jumps forward to every July 15th for 20 years and follows how their relationship develops and changes.

Having not read the book I asked my mum for some feedback which she happily gave. The main point she made was that, unlike many book to film adaptations, they didn’t touch the structure. The books author, David Nicholls, adapted the book himself, leaving the structure and plot intact. Each July 15th feels like a snapshot of their lives, providing enough information without force feeding the audience. It works well because you don’t feel like you’ve missed anything that’s gone in between.

As a romance film I thought it was great to watch. Unlike some romantic films it wasn’t bogged down with side characters who didn’t serve a purpose. Every character featured serves some purpose or another, even if they’re only in it for one of the days. The main focus is always on the primary characters except for odd throwaway scenes that tell us about minor characters.

My only complaint is the one that everyone else had. Anne Hathaway. I’m going to be honest and say I love her as an actress; she’s come a long way since The Princess Diaries. I’m even excited to see her tackle Catwoman later this year, but she did the worst British accent I have ever heard in this film. It was jumbled and all over the place. It distracted you from really getting to understand her character. Where you got a nice look at Dexter and how he changed and his past, Emma just became a character with a dodgy accent. I couldn’t get past it. However, I will say that looks wise she fit the part and plays nerdy nervous very well. So long as she doesn’t do an English accent.

The both the Blu-ray and DVD contain some fun extras. My favourite is The Look of One Day which shows how they aged the actors over the 20 year period. The standard making of featurette is there as is a director’s commentary.

All in all, it is a charming, romantic film that will have you balling your eyes out no matter what. Definitely a film to watch as long as you can get over Anne Hathaway’s accent!

Michael Wharton