“One Day”: A Timeless Twenty-Year Rendezvous and the Transformative Power of Edinburgh
Certain films possess an extraordinary ability to capture the essence and unique spirit of a city, intertwining its very fabric with the narrative they tell. Scotland’s majestic capital, Edinburgh, stands as a prime example. This ancient city, founded in 1329 and steeped in nearly nine centuries of history, has offered its dramatic landscapes to everything from the magical world-building of J.K. Rowling’s fantastical tales to serving as a breathtaking backdrop for an epic sci-fi battle involving the Avengers. Yet, amidst its grand historical monuments and vibrant contemporary life, Edinburgh also played a pivotal role in witnessing a different kind of epic saga: the profound and often heartbreaking love story unfolded in the 2011 film, “One Day.”
Set against the picturesque cobbles and striking architecture of Edinburgh, “One Day” embarks on a unique narrative journey. It chronicles the lives of Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew, who first cross paths on their University of Edinburgh graduation day. From that fateful encounter, a tradition is born: every subsequent July 15th becomes a sacred checkpoint, a day dedicated to charting the evolution of their intertwined lives over twenty years.
Anne Hathaway’s Unwavering Pursuit of Emma Morley
The film’s protagonist, Emma, dedicates two decades of her life to a love that is constantly tested by time, distance, and personal growth. In a parallel display of dedication, actress Anne Hathaway, determined to embody Emma, journeyed halfway across the globe to meet director Lone Scherfig. Her quest for the role was a battle Hathaway very nearly lost. Despite her burgeoning fame from beloved films like “The Princess Diaries” series and her critically acclaimed performance in “Becoming Jane,” not to mention her Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress in “Rachel Getting Married,” Hathaway faced a significant obstacle: her American nationality. As “One Day” was inherently a British story, Scherfig initially had no intention of casting any American actors, placing Hathaway at a considerable disadvantage.
Hathaway recounts that particular meeting as one of the most agonizing experiences of her career. Desperate to convey her profound connection to the character, she struggled to articulate her vision clearly. However, with characteristic ingenuity and a stroke of intuition, she handed Scherfig a meticulously curated playlist at the close of their discussion. This collection of songs, Hathaway explained, was her emotional blueprint for Emma, a raw and poignant expression of her understanding of the character’s soul. It was this deeply personal and unconventional gesture that ultimately shifted the director’s perspective, becoming the unlikely key that unlocked the role for Hathaway.
Navigating the Tides of Doubt and Soaring Expectations
The moment Hathaway’s casting was confirmed, a new wave of pressure descended upon both the actress and director Scherfig. The genesis of this intense scrutiny lay squarely with the immense popularity of David Nicholls’ original novel, which upon its release, utterly captivated audiences, soaring to the top of the UK’s bestseller list in 2010 and cultivating a vast, intensely loyal fanbase. Even before cameras began to roll, a vociferous segment of these ardent fans took to online forums, expressing profound skepticism. Their concerns primarily revolved around Hathaway’s American accent and the choice of a Danish director for such an quintessentially British narrative.
What many of these concerned fans may not have realized was Scherfig’s proven track record. Just months prior to her announcement as director for “One Day,” she had received highly coveted Oscar nominations for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay for “An Education” (2009), another period film set firmly in Britain that had garnered widespread critical acclaim. Scherfig herself candidly admitted that the true daunting challenge for her transcended geographical nuances; it was the formidable task of artfully condensing twenty years of human connection and complex emotional evolution, spanning from 1988 to 2008, into a cohesive and compelling two-hour cinematic experience.
A Canvas of Transformation on Screen
Upon the film’s release, the apprehension quickly dissolved into widespread acclaim, with Hathaway’s nuanced performance receiving effusive praise from both the production team and audiences alike. Her portrayal of Emma was a testament to her versatility, charting a seamless evolution that transcended mere physical appearance. Her on-screen transformations were nothing short of meticulous, flawlessly depicted from the naive, slightly awkward university student to a dazzling vision in a long-haired cheongsam. Later, she effortlessly exuded chic French elegance in a short-haired cocktail dress, each look perfectly embodying a distinct phase of Emma’s journey.
Hathaway masterfully captured the subtle complexities and profound shifts of a woman’s twenty-year odyssey of growth, self-discovery, and evolving relationships. Let us revisit with these characters that seemingly ordinary, yet ultimately extraordinary, “One Day”—July 15, 1988. Witness again how two fast friends of twenty years, whose fleeting romance stretched for twenty days, navigate the intricate dance of shared life and enduring affection, continually growing and evolving in tandem, ultimately enacting a story of mutual growth and an unbreakable, enduring love.
