Ann Hathaway is terrific in One Day. She plays a British woman named Emma with incredibly bad taste in men. The love of her life, Dex (Jim Sturgess), is an odious creep who manages to become successful on late night TV. So Emma turns to the next closest guy, Ian (Rafe Spall), an unfunny comedian (who can belch the “Theme to the A-Team”). Patricia Clarkson plays Dex’s mother. The movie makes a big deal of Dex and Emma getting together each year on July 15 (Same Time Next Year this isn’t). But when they do get together, Dex is usually drunk and Emma leaves angry. The reason I’m giving this film a failing grade is (SPOILER ALERT!) both Patricia Clarkson and Ann Hathaway are killed (Hathaway dies brutally) (END SPOILER ALERT). This was an aggravating movie to sit through. With a cast this talented, and a better story, a very good movie could have been made. But One Day isn’t it. GRADE: F
I liked the book for the most part because I like stories like this, but you hit on the exact elements that sank it: Dex is a shallow creep and Ian is a stalkerish loser.
And then there was that ending…. Too bad because it had potential.
You’re right, Jeff. There were elements that could have been turned into a wonderful story. Emma won my heart.
Yikes. Thanks for sparing me this. Too bad because she is such a terrific actor.
Ann Hathaway is one of my favorite actresses, Patti. And so is Patricia Clarkson. What this movie does to these two women is criminal.
In the tv ads at least, Hathaway’s British accent seems a bit risible.
I’m not an expert on British accents so Hathaway’s accent was fine with me, Drongo. I’m sure the purists will find fault with Hathaway’s accent while ignoring the much Larger Problems with this movie.
In that pictures she looks very Audrey Hepburn, doesn’t she?
Ann Hathaway has her Audrey Hepburn moments, Rick.
I only read about two chapters of the book and gave up.
Obviously I’m not missing anything.
Way to take one for the team, George!
The other couples who saw ONE DAY with us seemed to like it, Beth. But I had a more emotional reaction to such a bad film.
Hathaway has had some personal life experience that perhaps helped inform her choice in taking the role, so famously so that I (who don’t read PEOPLE/US-ish stuff) have heard of it (and indeed many have commented on her variable accent in this film). Cheap tragedy is cheap tragedy, and indeed too bad. (Meanwhile, I’m willing to be Hathaway’s dream date, if she needs one. Yes, I’m that noble, and she continues to remind me more of Sela Ward than Hepburn despite haircut, and apparently I couldn’t be a bigger crook, at least, than some…)
I love Anne Hathaway, Todd. She has talent to burn. She can do comedy and serious drama (RACHEL GETTING MARRIED) while retaining her sweetness. Anne Hathaway is one of my favorite actresses. I’ll watch her in anything, even bilge like ONE DAY.
I probably would have watched this just because Hathaway is in it, but it sounds terrible. I think I’ll pass.
Hathaway’s performance is mavelous, but the movie is a downer, James. If you decide to watch ONE DAY just be prepared.
George, apologies for my snarky words. When I wrote that critical comment about her accent, I didn’t quite understand that Ms. Hathaway was a favorite of yours. No doubt she’ll have quite a long and successful career. She certainly has many fans, and seems to be in demand by a lot of film makers. Apparently she’s working with the talented Christopher Nolan on the next Batman movie these days, which is going to be huge when it comes out.
You’re right, Drongo, Anne Hathaway is cast as Catwoman in the next Batman movie. I can’t wait!