"One Day": The Film

A year ago, I posted a positive review of English writer David Nicholls’ novel “One Day” (8/16/10), a wonderful take on the theme of two friends who over the years sometimes veer into the territory of romance, but no matter what, always provide staunch support for each other through thick and thin. The suspense of the story is in wondering “will they or won’t they” get together as romantic partners, but there is so much more to the story. I recently saw the film version of “One Day.” Although the screenplay was written by the author, Nicholls, and stayed fairly close to the novel’s story, certain elements were left out or smoothed over, as is common in film versions. The result is that the movie is still absorbing, but less so than the novel. However, once again I got caught up in Emma’s and Dexter’s stories; it is fascinating to watch their lives develop over a period of twenty years. Each year we “check in” on them on July 15, St. Swithin’s Day. We watch their bright hopes for their futures, their stumbles, their confusions, their successes, their failures, their need for each other, their other romances, their relationships with their families, and the way they always lean on each other, and keep connecting and reconnecting. It is an absorbing observation of young adults growing and (unevenly!) maturing, trying to figure out this thing called grown-up life. We also learn much -- indirectly -- about British society, the class system in England, and gender roles. Jim Sturgess is wonderful as Emma; Anne Hathaway is appealing but less convincing as Emma; unfortunately, her struggles with the accent are a bit distracting. Patricia Clarkson is perfect, as always, as Dexter’s mother. Overall I recommend the film, even if it doesn’t quite live up to the novel.