One Day

One Day

I wanted to like this film. It was an interesting concept. My sister loved it and felt the characters were refreshing and did an excellent job in portraying their parts. I was not as enamored with the adorable Jim Sturgess. He plays the part of Dexter.
We first meet Dexter on graduation day. It was July 15, 1988. He and Emma (Anne Hathaway) are still in their graduating robes. It is time to celebrate. They go home together and seem to have good verbal communication. Sex was not part of the activity. They just enjoyed snuggling and being together. In the morning they declare they want to be friends. Also, he announces he is going to India for an extended time.
For the next 20 years Dexter and Emma have contact on July 15. Sometimes it is by phone. Sometimes they meet. One year they even take a motor trip together. Each has developed differently. They have different ideals and goals.
Dexter was from a wealthy family and he develops into a heavy drinker and carouses with many women. He becomes an announcer on a sleazy TV show. He loses that job and can’t seem to find himself. Through it all there is a bond for Emma.
Emma works in a Mexican restaurant. She becomes friendly with a (pathetic) comedian. They even move in with each other. I did not find this part believable. He annoyed me and I knew that these two were not compatible. Emma knows it is not sufficiently satisfying.
Dexter marries and discovers his wife is cheating on him
Dexter and Emma meet 20 years later and begin a genuine meaningful relationship.
You can’t help but think Sturgess and Hathaway are adorable together. I found the fleeting years a little annoying. I would have liked a little more information during some of the years. It all seemed to rush by too quickly without giving me substance. I realize that 20 years is a long time and the movie had to be completed within an hour and a half.
There was an attempt to initially make Hathaway look bookish and plain. She had no makeup, wore plain unattractive clothes and glasses. Pretty hard to make Anne Hathaway look unattractive. By the end of the film she has become an author and blossomed into a beautiful woman.
It is interesting to watch character development and obviously over 20 years a lot does happen. At the same time a lot does not change. Bottom line; Dexter and Emma are meant for one another.