One Day (2011)

A 20 year journey of a single day, with all the trials and tribulations that come with it...

Two friends, Emma and Dexter meet at college and form a lifelong friendship that is visited once a year on July 15th to see how things are going.

Emma takes the traditional path, struggling as a waitress in a Mexican restaurant, while all the time trying to break into the writing market in London. After a string of failed relationships, all the time pining after her best friend, she finally makes the breakthrough and life seems perfect, if just for one day...

Dexter lives his life to the fullest, all the time in search of the perfect high, but always seeking solace and advice from Emma. Whether the high or low points of his life and career, she is always there for him, even if he doesn't realize it. Eventually it will too be his time to grow up and see what has been in front of him all along.

Based on the best selling novel by David Nicholls and turned into a truly classic movie, by talented Danish director, Lone Scherfig, this has got to be one of the finest movies of 2011 and one of the most moving I have seen in a long time.

The combination of Anne Hathaway as "Emma" and Jim Sturgess as "Dexter" is an inspired choice of cast, with some of the best romantic chemistry you will see. Hathaway has come a hell of a long way since her days in "The Princess Diaries", turning out one fantastic performance after another and this one is something truly special. Her capturing of the essence of the character over a 20 year period is nothing short of spectacular, and one can only guess how good a performance she will give in her next starring role.

London born Jim Sturgess also gives a fine performance in this film, but plays very much second fiddle next to Hathaway. His embodiment of "Dexter" from 1988 and for the next twenty years is tragic, moving and so, so enjoyable that in places you find it hard to distinguish if this talented Englishman is actually acting at all. His embracing of the excesses of the 80's is fantastic, but I think it is the low points in the life of "Dexter" where he truly hits his best form. Together the couple make this a phenomenally enjoyable film, an emotional roller-coaster, with the audience, all the time hoping for a happy ending.

Ken Scott as the father of "Dexter" gives a truly inspired performance, blowing you away each and every time he is on screen, giving possibly the finest performance of his distinguished career. From one tragedy in his life to the next, he deals with it in his own stoic way, ably assisted by Patricia Clarkson who does a sterling job as "Alison", the mother of the troubled young "Dexter".

This story has it all. Romance, drama, comedy and enough tragedy to keep you reaching for the tissues for a lot of the film. I truly did enjoy this movie from start to finish, well worth at least one watch. Not one for the kids.

7/10