‘One Day’ Tells a Beautiful, Bittersweet Love Story
The One Day TV series, now on Netflix from February 8, is based on David Nicholls' novel, which was already adapted into a movie in 2011. Creator Nicole Taylor establishes a romantic and melancholic atmosphere right from the start, which captivates us. As we watch recent University of Edinburgh graduates Dexter (played by Leo Woodall) and Emma (played by Ambika Mod), we get to witness their relationship develop over several years, which is both platonic and romantic. The show is like Dexter courting Emma, and just like her, we can't resist the show's appeal.
At first, it might appear easy to capture the feelings of excitement and nervousness that come with a new love. However, it becomes more difficult to maintain those emotions over a longer period of time as a story unfolds across many years. In 2011, Lone Scherfig adapted a film that used Rachel Portman’s music to gracefully convey these emotions, but unfortunately fell short in other areas. While the film explains the story of a great love, it fails to truly show it. Nevertheless, the music is certainly worth a listen. In contrast, the writer of the charming 2018 musical drama Wild Rose, Jessie Buckley, has more space to expand on the story in a series format and effectively uses that opportunity to great effect.
The television show is structured around the same day, July 15, but in different years. The main characters are Dexter, a wealthy individual who relies on his looks and charm to succeed in the television industry, and Emma, a writer who comes from a less privileged background. As they grow older, their relationship becomes more complex, but they remain a constant in each other's lives. Sometimes they are brought together, while other times they are kept apart. However, this represents the ups and downs of life, as their relationship is never perfect and they go through periods of fighting and estrangement before reuniting. Life cannot be guided by a predetermined narrative, but rather it is full of twists and turns that lead people to unforeseen outcomes.
In this blog, the writer describes the theme of the movie One Day. The movie depicts the journey of young adulthood which includes uncertainties, errors, and blind decisions. The movie portrays the aimless wandering of youth with a mix of amazement and regret. The director carefully keeps the movie realistic, avoiding exaggeration. Not every moment we live in life is a turning point, it is just a reality of everyday life. The conversations in the movie are grounded and realistic, fitting the context of the characters’ ages. The movie also tackles heavier topics such as troubled relationships and battles with addiction with a balance of empathy and subtlety. One Day is a beautifully crafted movie that captures real life in all its complexities and uncertainties while also providing a clear perspective.
Finding the perfect balance in a performance requires the right actors, and luckily, Taylor was able to find them. Mod, who is well-known for the dark medical comedy This Is Going to Hurt, captures Emma's mix of self-awareness and determination. Emma is a nerdy character from a lower social class that is surprised that someone like Dexter, who is both attractive and sophisticated, would find her interesting. Despite this, Emma is aware of her strengths, such as her intelligence and humble appeal. Throughout the performance, Emma develops and discovers more about herself, and Mod portrays this through small changes in Emma's behavior. Emma becomes more confident, however, doubt still manages to linger in her mind.
Dexter comes from a wealthy family and has had a comfortable life. However, he is not doing well and is struggling. Actor Murray Bartlett, who became famous for his role in The White Lotus, portrays Dexter's despair with great detail and nuance. In one episode, Dexter goes home to see his parents and the audience is left devastated by the performance. Bartlett's acting is sublime and engaging, and he doesn't try to outshine his co-star. Despite the challenge of creating a character that the audience can empathize with, Bartlett's portrayal is natural and sincere. It's one of the best performances on TV I've seen in a while.
When Dexter and Emma get into fights and break up, it's just as intense as when they first fell in love. The acting, writing, and chemistry between the actors is so seamless that you can easily believe everything is real and actually happened over 20 years, starting in 1988. The visuals of the show, such as the soft, dreamy photography and calming music, add to the entire experience. One Day is a well-crafted show that makes everyday issues feel important and major events feel personal.
The TV series is amazing but it exposed a flaw in the book. The emotional climax at the end of the book is not needed because the story already created strong emotions in the reader. The author's attempt to manipulate the reader's emotions is unnecessary and feels out of place in a story that is otherwise well-written and able to evoke emotional responses naturally. This heavy-handed ending could harm the TV adaptation, which has been successful in creating a gently moving story.
However, the imposed feeling doesn't last in One Day. The film manages to overcome it and ends with a powerfully touching moment. The audience is finally shown something from the past that was kept secret until the end. This revelation shifts the story and provides a new perspective, blending happiness and sadness in a unique way. It reminds viewers of the beauty of youth and the inevitable transition into adulthood.
