‘One Day’ Film Review: This Adaptation Almost Gets it Right

Two disclosures: one, I’m a big, big fan of the novel “One Day” by David Nicholls. Two, when it was announced that this international bestselling book was going to be adapted, I feared that the gimmick of dropping in on two characters’ lives for one day each year for over 20 years was going to be difficult to pull off in movie terms. That fear turns out to be warranted.

Although “One Day” is an admirable adaptation by the novel’s author David Nicholls, the film just doesn’t pack the book’s emotional wallop in terms of humor and poignancy. It’s not for lack of trying either. Director Lone Scherfig (“An Education”) shows a skilled hand with the actors, Anne Hathaway as Emma Morley and Jim Sturgess as Dexter Mayhew over their 20-year relationship. But the one-day vignettes give only quick glimpses into their lives and more often than not, leave audiences yearning for more.

“One Day” begins at dawn on July 15, 1988, St. Swithin’s Day. In British folklore, if it rains on St. Swithin’s it will rain for 40 more days; if it’s sunny, it’s sunny for 40 more days. For Dex and Em, St. Swithin’s Day falls on the day after their college graduation. As other graduates pair off, Dex and Em are left on their own, which becomes an early dawn hook-up that turns platonic. But this single day unfolds into a life-long relationship between the two.

Post graduation and traveling, a privileged Dex takes a run at television, first working as an assistant and then as a host for a hip, pop culture music show. Working class Emma has grandiose writing dreams that dissolve into a day job at a Tex-Mex restaurant chain. As Dex’s career rises, Emma’s falls flat. But over the 20 years, their careers and lives evolve, reverse and change again. These transitions for Dex and Emma are charted both in terms of careers and personal relationships amongst others, and more importantly, with one another.

Happily the film stays true to the novel’s English setting. The production filmed around London, Edinburgh and Paris, and the cinematography captures these locations in lovely detail. Director Scherfig and her production team also do a fine job of moving the story through these locations via the different eras. Another nice addition for the film is a new Elvis Costello song, “Sparkling Day,” which Costello composed especially for the movie.

“One Day” is by no means a complete miss. The film is true to the novel’s spirit, and Lone Scherfig’s direction and Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess’ performances are solid. But capturing Dex and Em’s twenty-year story over a series of single days is a difficult endeavor to translate into a 108-minute film. It’s a worthy try, but “One Day” doesn’t quite succeed.

“One Day” is 108 minutes and Rated PG-13. It opens August 19.

For other reviews and interviews by Lori Huck, check out:

‘Sarah’s Key’ Film Review: A Powerful Film Stirs Up a French Tragedy

‘The Guard’ Interview: Don Cheadle Discusses Twisted Irish Humor and Good Scripts


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