Cliché, but Moving: 2024 "One Day" and its magic

Though I'm a hardcore sci-fi fan who enjoys dark and thrilling stories, occasionally I'm moved by some love stories, such as "One Day."

When I discovered that the TV adaptation of "One Day" was released, I had already planned to watch it meticulously. It's not because it has already surpassed 15.2 million views to become the most-watched English series globally, or because it has a rating of 8.4 on Peliplat. Instead, it’s because the story touched me countless times.

Adapted from the novel by British author David Nicholls, "One Day" was first made into a movie and then into a TV series. After shedding tears once again at the end of the series, I ranked my liking for all three works and it’s as follows in descending order: TV series > novel > movie; this TV adaptation is highly successful. The story, which is almost identical to that of the novel, sits well with me.

The story itself may seem uninteresting or even clichéd. Simply put, it's about the on-and-off romantic relationship between Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew over fifteen years. However, love isn't the main theme, and cliché isn't the issue. I believe if a story can immerse you in another world that helps you escape reality, then it's a good story. "Titanic" is also a very simple love story, with Jack and Rose falling in love and being separated. There’s nothing particularly innovative, but James Cameron earnestly added numerous details into this simple story: the complex structure inside the great ship, and Rose's character development as she transforms from a traditional woman who is dependent on men to one who pursues freedom and love. The accumulation of these details ultimately made it a film that touches countless people.

What I mean is, in this story, the growth and struggles of Emma and Dexter, two individuals who have very different backgrounds and personalities but are vaguely attracted to each other, are the most impressive factors.

Firstly, let's talk about the male protagonist, Dexter. Over these fifteen years, he presents himself in entirely different images: the playboy in college, the obedient son in his mother's eyes, the alcoholic, the TV star, the faded celebrity, the café waiter, and finally, the mature man. As for the female protagonist, Emma, her image is equally complex: the top student in college, the failed comedian, the waitress in a Mexican restaurant, the aspiring novelist, and the mistress of a high school principal. It's rare to see such complex characters in a film.

The complexity of these characters first made me feel the blur between good and bad. In Hollywood movies, characters are usually either clearly good or bad. For instance, in the recent "Dune: Part Two," you can easily tell the hero and villain apart just by their appearance, turning the enjoyment of watching movies into a simple battle between justice and evil.

However, in real life, there are rarely absolute villains, and conflicts between people are often due to misunderstandings. For example, in the seventh episode, Dexter and Emma have a heated argument, which leads to them losing contact with each other for the next two years. This is considered a significant conflict in this story. At that time, I entered Emma's perspective. From her point of view, Dexter turns up for their annual dinner in a drunken state and is completely distracted throughout. I thought his behavior was indeed absolutely unforgivable. In the tenth episode, I viewed that argument from Dexter's perspective and understood that he hasn't recovered from the pain of losing his mother. Beneath his smugness, arrogance, and domineering appearance, he is vulnerable and helpless. Neither of them intends to hurt each other, yet they substantially harm each other, which is a microcosm of life. Throughout the story, there are many coincidences caused by similar misunderstandings, but most of them were cleverly and adeptly designed, not breaking the immersion, just like the short stories by O. Henry.

Secondly, what struck me is the unpredictability of life. Please forgive me for using clichéd Hollywood movies as a comparison again. For example, in the "Marvel" series, when the good and evil characters appear, I can roughly predict the subsequent storyline; it's just about the protagonist facing difficulties and setbacks, but eventually, justice prevails over evil, or anything along that line. But obviously, this is not the norm in reality—reality seldom embodies pure good and evil, and the future is hard to predict; reality is full of randomness. In "One Day," Dexter's career development in the first half of the story is smooth; due to his handsome appearance, he effortlessly becomes a TV host who drives a convertible. But good luck doesn't last forever. Gradually, due to aging and continuous scandals, he loses popularity and becomes an ordinary person. Emma's life takes a different turn. She is an ordinary student in college, and for a long time after graduation, things don't go well for her. She marries someone she doesn't truly love and has an ordinary job. But in the second half, she encounters a turning point (I won't spoil it further). As Forrest Gump says, "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." It aptly describes the unexpected lives of these two protagonists. It also reminds me of what Bill Gates wrote in "The Road Ahead: Living and Prospering in the Information Age": "Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years."

The sense of reality it conveys is probably what touches me every time I watch "One Day." Yes, it may seem rather clichéd, and it appears to preach well-known principles, but after going through many experiences in life, I feel Nicholls’ sincerity.

Catch you later for more movie musings!