Review: 'One Day'

Film: One Day
Director: Lone Scherfig
Cast: Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgess
Rating: ***

One Day, an adaptation of David Nicholls' bestselling novel of the same name, is a bittersweet story of the lead pair Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew's various struggles, ups and downs, careers, ambitions and their feelings for each other.

The film begins with Emma (Anne Hathaway), and Dexter (Jim Sturgess) spending their graduation night together in 1988. That night marks the beginning of a lifelong friendship between the two and the film continues to follow their lives for the next 20 years. The viewers get a glimpse of their lives on that specific date each year.

The plot, not exactly original, strongly reminds one of the 1978 film Same Time Next Year but One Day has its own charm, which owes a whole lot to Jim Sturgess as Dexter. Sturgess is perfect as the charming and seductively adorable public-schooled rich boy who lives to have a good time. His smile (it has to be said) has the ability to melt your heart to mush and make you giggle like a little school girl. As Dexter, he is a happy-go-lucky person who doesn't seem to mind doing ridiculous shows on the 'telly' for quick fame and money. Out of the three stars, two are solely for him.

About Anne Hathaway as Emma… well it would be a bit extreme to say she was terrible, but casting someone with an actual Yorkshire accent might have been a better idea. The accent seems to have a mind of its own. It comes and goes as it pleases and the transitions are quite in-your-face. It is only when she suddenly pronounces love as 'louv' are you reminded of her Yorkshire background. Even if we leave aside the accent, not being able to get into the skin of her character like the others is disturbing.

That said, One Day makes for pleasant viewing. It is witty, moving at times and full of moments that slap a smile right across your face. The emotional bit is not overdone, something much appreciated by this particular reviewer.

If you have not read the book, you will probably walk out feeling gooey and romantic.