St. Swithin's Day

A novel adapted into screenplay will always be crucial. There are many risks than doing an original screenplay (of course, there will be much more "critics" because of those who have read the novel). To convey those pages into a two-hour movie or less, and still make the audience feel the true essence of the book will never be an easy job. More often than not, adaptations disappoint the audience. Or simply, people are plain demanding. It is not surprising that most readers will not be satisfied. But when most viewers do, that might have to be the mark of how truly horrible the film was, because even those who haven't read the novel have so many criticisms already about the story (but hey, I believe people are not passive, and are smart enough to know that it is only the movie that failed and not the book; and that books and films are very different medium that should not be compared in the first place). I'd be biased if I didn't say there aren't any successful adaptations. Because there are. There are quite a few. It's just that this one didn't make the cut.

One Day (2011)

Directed by Lone Scherfig

Written by David Nicholls

Emma (Anne Hathaway) and Dexter (Jim Sturgess) spent the night of their college graduation together and agreed to meet on the fifteenth of July every year.

Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess were really beautiful. Acting-wise, these two looked good together on screen, and have given life to their characters in their own unique ways. But I was a little disturbed by Hathaway's English accent. I cringed a little every now and then.

As for the plot, it was very interesting. But I would not deny that I was not as pleased as I thought I would be about it. I was even more disappointed when I found out Nicholls actually wrote the screenplay. I was like, "C'mon, you're prettier than that" (quoting Bale on American Pscyho). Despite its structure, I feel like it lacked depth and emotion. I kept waiting for a more essential sub-plot, but there was nothing enough to suspend my disbelief, even after the plot twist was given. I did have this sudden urge to read the book to answer all these uncertainties in mind (for instance, I needed more stories to sympathize for the protagonists, and I kept asking questions of sorts on how they agreed on such terms). I think Nichols did it on purpose, for us viewers, to buy and read the book (kidding).

Nonetheless, it will still touch your heart. There were some moments to hold onto. Though, I suggest you the read the novel first to avoid disappointment (regarding the flow of the story). But oh, Paris was lovely. Au revoir.