My goodness. This weekend while channel surfing, I stumbled upon a film that until this point, I had successfully avoided – the Jim Sturgess Anne Hathaway tearjerker One Day. Despite its best intentions the film just did not do anything for me. Well, there was that wince inducing moment near the end that I did have a slight chuckle. However, I do not think that was the response the filmmakers desired.
The story of One Day is adapted from the bestselling novel by David Nicholls (also wrote the screenplay). Upon getting together on graduation night, Dexter (Jim Sturgess) and Emma (Anne Hathaway) develop a friendship that we, the audience, drop in on, on the same day July 15th (St. Swithin’s Day), over the course of 20 years. Whereas in the novel, each chapter chronicles a single year, the film does not have this luxury so the narrative skips a few years at a time, still focused on the “one day”. This aspect of the movie is well executed.
The performances overall were quite good; the excellent supporting cast includes Rafe Spall, Romola Garai and Patricia Clarkson. The one slight disappointment is Ms. Hathaway. This is not entirely her fault for, if I am honest, the kerfuffle in the media at the time of the film’s theatrical release regarding her Leeds accent was a bit of a distraction when watching her onscreen.
The film is wonderfully shot under the direction of Lone Scherfig (An Education, Italian for Beginners). So one would think that this is a wonderful formula for an emotive, romantic piece. But, as stated in my introductory paragraph, this was not the case.
What escapes me at this point is why, for the life of me, I walked away from the film thinking it ended as a bit of a mess. It had so much potential – unique narrative device, a great cast and director, but misfired where it mattered most – eliciting the necessary response from the viewer (me).
This is where you, fair readers, come in – what am I missing? Did you see One Day? If so, let me know what you think in the comments section below.
I read the book and it didn’t have the desired effect. Well actually I was shocked at a certina point (near the end) but it didn’t jerk the tears out. Still yet to see the film.
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Good to hear Pete. If you are talking about about the scene I think you are talking about. It was a bit of a oh wow, but sadly mixed with a reactionary chuckle. No tears here either.
I’ll see this for Jim Sturgess… oh and Romola Garai. Why can’t she be in the lead role?? She’s such an underrated actress.
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In a word, she is awesome!
She is! I think she’s prettier than Anne Hathaway too, so I’m baffled as to why she’s not more famous!
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She should have been Emma!
I didn’t like the movie, I found it to be boring and I wasn’t engaged in the story of the characters. That said I agree the film looks beautiful, the cinematography was lovely.
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I had no initial expectations but when I decided to engage and watch it it kind of made me upset because it had the potential to be much, much better than it turned out. Darned shame really.
I loved Nicholl’s other work – Starter for Ten. That was ace!
This completely lost me at the trailer with Anne Hathaway horrendous British accent. I probably would have watched it with anyone but Hathaway and Sturgess lol
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I am of two minds when it comes to Ms Hathaway.Not a huge fan by any stretch but I did like Devil Wears Prada. But yes the accent was off the map.
I love me some Jim Sturgess but I just have no interest in this movie, I think your words summed up my problems with it perfectly. Just listening to Hathaway’s accent in the trailers makes me wince, I can’t imagine sitting through a whole movie of it.
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It was quite a display Kristen.