LOOKING for honest reviews on new and old movies and series? We have you covered, in this new series, Odette Parfitt has you covered and lets us know if it’s worth the stream.
One Day (2024)
Platform:
Netflix
Basic plot:
Dexter and Emma meet on the last night of the university portion of their lives, very nearly get together, and then spend the next 20 years in each other’s lives, growing up together and navigating their own individual drama.
How it was probably pitched to the producers:
The same way the trailer pitched it, I imagine – what would it look like if you glanced in on someone’s life on the same day every year?
Thoughts:
Firstly I have to get this out of the way: this is not a happily-ever-after kind of story. (There was a 2011 film version and both productions were based on a book, so that’s less of a spoiler alert and more of a public service, you’re welcome.) However, if you are OK with a little sadness, keep reading.
Still here? Good. I have nothing negative to say about this show. I’ve read the book and I’ve seen the movie, and the series manages to stay true to the key events of both while still somehow carving out its own identity. Presumably this is because the book’s author David Nicholls was directly involved in the series – always a good sign when that happens.
The casting is downright excellent; we get two fairly unknown leads who have great chemistry. With the luxury of 14 episodes versus 108 episodes, the actors have the opportunity to make their characters a lot more likable than in the movie version. Leo Woodall, especially, finds a pretty-much-miraculous way of making Dexter walk the line between charming and unbearably arrogant, and there is a scene in one of the later episodes where you can actually feel his hopelessness with him.
So, if you can’t tell yet, I was impressed.
Bottom line – is it worth the stream?
Yes – but even though there are definite funny moments, it’s not light watching.
Watch this if you like:
- One Day the book
- One Day the movie
- A variety of British accents
- Coming-of-age movies
- Having your heart stomped on, just a bit
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