So today I watched 'One Day' a film I've been higly anticipating having read the novel. Although I'm weary of films adapted from novels I decided to put aside Film: ONE DAY
Director: Lone Scherfig
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgess and Patricia Clarkson
The first thing you should know about 'One Day' is that it's adapted from not just any novel, but from a brilliant and complete one, one whose characters and experiences are so authentic that the reader cannot help but identify with them. That said, a film adaptation would have so much to work with and there is so much within the novel that would make for fantastic cinema. This film however, fails not only to reach, but to realise it's potential. I should start by saying it is not a disaster, and in fact there are many good elements in the film. Hathaway for starters is not as dreadful as I'd anticipated and although hers is the least compelling performance, she's OK (I will refrain from discussing her accent) . Furthermore, Hathaway and Sturgess have good chemistry which is a relief, and although I doubt this film will receive much acclamation or award, it might receive a compensatory popcorn statuate for 'Best Kiss'. The film is also extremely historically and culturaly precise, which is refreshing and adds charm. Prior knowledge of the novel proved to be a double edged sword because the film failed to meet my somewhat high expectations yet in many ways I found myself excusing a lot of it's shortcomings by filling in the various clefts with what I already knew and loved from the book. I felt particularly, that this film didnt quite capture the intensity of Dexter's love for Emma and instead rushed through the years leaving no time for the audience to truly connect with the characters, making the ending less devastatin. Note to Directors: when making a film, especially one adapted from a novel,allow it ample time! If the film needs three hours to fully capture its essence, GIVE IT THREE HOURS. The end of the film was perhaps its best aspect, the final scene between Dexter and Emma was a brief but poignant example of what the rest of the film should and could have been. Overall, I'd call 'One Day' a hit and miss
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