“One Day” is not your average, mindless chick flick. This complex film centers on themes such as romance, loss and friendship in a brutally honest way. Based on the novel “One Day” by David Nicholls, although not infested with typical happy endings and ridiculously unrealistic success, is better atuned to the smaller, less perfect events of life—except, of course, for the unrealistically attractive faces of the costars, Jim Sturgess and Anne Hathaway.

The movie begins when Dexter (Sturgess) and Emma (Hathaway) try to have a somewhat failed one night stand after graduating college, then spend a day together and promise to keep in touch. Over the next 20 years, the movie plays out like a series of vignettes, in which the viewer is able to see a glimpse of their one day anniversary, July 14 whether they are together or apart. In a long, evenly paced way the movie allows the viewer to take breaths and not only explore the complexities of Emma and Dexter’s relationship, but also Dexter’s parents, played by Ken Stott and Patricia Clarkson and Dexter and Emma’s would be lovers, played by Rafe Spall and Romola Garai.
Overall, the witty and British dialogue between Hathaway and Sturgess is very well done and interesting to keep up with. It is easy for the viewer to develop an emotional investment in the character Emma, who is a quirky bookworm who wants to be a writer and comes from a modest family, as well as while Dexter is a flirtacious, fun loving and loud partier from a rich family who has a side that also wants to be good.
Coupled with the wonderful, artistically wrought cinematography, this film (even with its surprise ending!) captures the hearts of viewers in a British, artistic and emotional way.