If you use social media, you probably noticed a flurry of posts about the new Netflix series that everyone is crying over – One Day. Well, what can I say? I also cried, then wrapped myself in a fluffy blanket and thought: Why did this story touch me so much?
And today, I would like to share my One Day review with you.
What is One Day movie about?
There was One Day movie starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess in 2011. In 2024, Netflix filmed a series of the same name with Leo Woodall and Ambika Mod, telling the same story in a new way. The film and series are based on a novel by David Nicholls.
Let’s remember this touching tale.
It was the late eighties. Dexter and Emma met at a university graduation party in Edinburgh. It is difficult to imagine people who are less suitable for each other or, in principle, less similar people. They chatted all night and decided to remain friends. Since then, they have met every year on the same day but live different lives. Maybe this is the fate?
For me, this film and series is a hymn to romance and bright feelings with small splashes of realism. This drama does not allow us to completely tear ourselves away from the sinful earth and be carried away into the beautiful world of feelings.
David Nicholls builds a love story around the feeling of death, adding salt to the wounds of those who once ran into the voluptuous “happily ever after.”
My seven insights.
Changes.
It was interesting to watch how the values around Dexter changed. During the first years, he “floats” with a very relaxed flow. The river of life carries him to television, and Dexter is now a mega-popular television presenter – money, women, drugs – whatever.
Emma starts from the bottom with an almost poverty-stricken salary. She plays in some creepy amateur theater that travels around the British provinces in an old van. Then, she is trying to live with an unloved person in a filthy apartment and finally blossoms into creativity. Her journey is very motivating for me. Well done, Emma!
Friendship makes love stronger.
The characters’ relationships change in the most unpredictable and, on the contrary, natural way. They go from love to friendship, from romantic relationships to breakups and terminations of communication, from the charming first day of acquaintance to the incredibly tragic ending.
Fans of the film have a very tempting idea – if Emma and Dexter had gotten into a relationship right away, they would have lived happily ever after. Yes, I really want to believe that 20 years of mistakes could have been avoided simply by spending the night together at the film’s beginning or recognizing sincere attraction during the holidays.
However, I believe their relationship before the tragedy was solid and bright because they had already grown as individuals and had gotten to know each other well over the years. Their relationship becomes stronger and more tender after many years of friendship.
The film taught me to take care of my loved ones.
It is a super banal truth, but it is better to read it 100 times in a book or see it in a movie than to experience a loss in your life. Emma said that the day of our death awaits us all somewhere out there. This phrase reminded me that life is short and it’s very easy to lose loved ones.
It is a story about each of us.
One day is a story – memory. The picture is shown so that it becomes your memory too. You will recognize yourself in this tale and your relationships from the past if you have already graduated from your university. Or it is a flashback from the future if your universities and big loves are still ahead. I think it makes this movie so heartbreaking – we see ourselves in Dex and Emma.
Save time!
Of course, One Day is certainly memorable for its flashy idea – time should be used wisely! Time is something we can never get back. You have to live life straight away. Missing some moments, we subsequently do not see the essence of what is happening, all its beauty and sincerity. Sometimes, we even push the truth away, but it haunts us all our lives and gives us no peace.
The heroes were happy on their day, but, unfortunately, they did not immediately admit that the intense emotion they felt was not platonic fellowship but rather romantic love.
Is it possible to stop making such mistakes?
I have two sons, and as I watched this film, I pondered how to instill in my kids the values of honesty, openness to love, courage to take risks, and the importance of not letting uncertainty hold them back. Is there a way to convey this message effectively through words?
If I die and my partner remains.
The 2011 film’s ending is sad but heartwarming, but in the series, you need a box of tissues to survive until the end of the episode. The show’s forty-five-minute finale makes an already poignant love story even more painful. It is impossible to look at Leo’s suffering without pain.
When I was young, it seemed to me that if one of a couple dies and the other grieves for him all his life, then it’s incredibly romantic. Now, I think this is very sad and unfair. I wouldn’t want such a future for my partner if I left early.
MORE HEARTBREAKING LOVE STORIES.
Sad and Happy Romance Movies That Make You Cry.
Is Labor Day Film Worth Watching?
The Thorn Birds Movie Review. Best Sad Romance.
Final words.
After watching One Day, give your loved ones a big hug. And do it more often!
Maybe we’ll see that we were wrong
If ever we look back one day
But till you come back where you belong
It’s just another lonely Sunday (Hurts – Sunday)
Share this blog post if you enjoyed it. I would really appreciate it!
I’m not into drama movies, but the way you described this movie has me interested!
I haven’t seen the movie but the show just wrecked me! nice to read that i wasn’t alone in my reaction. now off to watch the movie! Great post.
This movie sounds so good! I can’t wait to watch it—I’m super intrigued now.
I also totally agree with what you’re saying about romanticizing the idea of losing your true love and spending the rest of your life alone, as if that’s staying true to them. I used to feel the same way. But now that I’ve seen a couple relationships close to me where one person has died early, it’s made me think about it more realistically for myself. I’d want my partner to find love if the unthinkable happened to me and vice versa! I think we’d all deserve to be loved and experience love again.
Thank you for the introduction and review of One Day. Sounds like a show I would enjoy – and I’ll be sure to grab a box of Kleenex before watching it!
Thi sis the kind of movie that always hits me so hard. I love your review, and I can’t wait to see it!
Oof. This sounds like a good movie, but I don’t know if my heart can take it! I will watch it though. I love Anne Hathaway.
Hey! Just wanted to drop by and say that your review of “One Day” was spot on! I recently watched the movie and found myself nodding along with everything you mentioned. Your analysis of the characters’ development and the emotional depth of the story was incredibly insightful. It’s clear that you have a knack for capturing the essence of a film and conveying it in a way that resonates with your audience. Looking forward to reading more of your reviews in the future!
This sounds like an interesting movie. I’ll put it on my viewing list.
I have not seen nor heard of this movie so I am thankful for this article. I am a big baby when it comes to touching movies. I bet I will cry too. LOL. I do plan to check this out.
Oh goodness, I keep seeing this on Netflix as something I should watch. I don’t know if I can now, knowing how sad it is! I might have to watch with a group of friends so we can lift each other’s spirits after!
This article is truly engaging! It made me want to watch the movie and reflect on the themes of love and loss. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for your insights into the movie, One Day. As always, very thorough!
I’ve never seen this movie or the show but I’m going to add it to my binge watching list as I’m up all night with my newborn!
I love romantic dramas. Unfortunately, my husband does not. Gotta watch this on my own!
This does sound like a movie that would also make me cry. I like these actors, and the storyline sounds good. I’ll have to check this out — I haven’t watched a romance in a long time.
I haven’t watch this series but this is already on my list and I already saw some of the trailers. I am excited on watching this because of this post.
Thanks so much for sharing this review! I saw the original movie and loved it but haven’t seen it in a long time. I saw the series pop up on Netflix and wondered if it was the same storyline. Definitely putting this on my que.
I just loved One Day! I cried too.
Now I have to watch this after reading your blog post. I’ve been taking a social media break so I haven’t heard about this movie. I think this is worth sacrificing a few minutes to learn something about life’s pivotal moments of friendship, love and grief. Thanks for sharing.
One Day is a great movie and this is an excellent guide! Thank you for another great post.
One of my favorite movies! Thank you for the insight and perspective on the movie One Day.
I haven’t seen the movie or the series. I can’t wait to check them out. Thank you for your review. If I had not read it I would not know about it being out
I just finished the series on Netflix. Not as good as the original movie!
I really like how this story captures the essence of romance mixed with realism. It’s a beautiful, ongoing journey of two friends with vastly different lives, proving how complex and poignant relationships can be. David Nicholls does a fantastic job blending heartfelt emotions with the harsher realities of life.