Director: Lone ScherfigWriter: David Nicholls
Starring: Anne Hathaway
Jim Sturgess
Rafe Spall
Rimola Garai
Patricia Clarkson
Ken Stott
Rating: ****
Release Date: Out Now
David Nicholls' popular novel has been turned into a witty and emotional movie, that had me laughing and welling up all in one.
Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew (Hathaway & Sturgess) have just graduated from university so have a lot of alcohol pumping through their systems. They walk home, and one thing leads to another and they end up in bed together, but they don't sleep together, they just talk all night and a lovely relationship forms. The film follows their character's lives on July 15th every year for twenty years, the trials and tribulations they face as well as the happy times. They both love each other, but are never available and they always worry about taking the next step passed friendship. When they eventually fall in love it is perfect, they marry and have the perfect life together, but things are never what they seem.
Both Hathaway and Sturgess give terrific performances as these two characters and the chemistry is spot on. They are believable and you can relate to them, and it truly is wonderful to watch them on screen together. They both carry the film along so well, and make it thoroughly enjoyable to watch. The one and only issue, and it is a big issue is Anne Hathaway's accent. Halfway through the film she suddenly starts dipping in and out of various accents, from upper class to northern within one sentence. It becomes a bit distracting (especially if you watch it with one of the people I watched it with) and takes away slightly from the film, but apart from that Hathaway is perfect in the role.
Ian (Spall) is Emma's friend and eventually her partner, he is a stand-up comedian waiting for his time to come. Spall is the main comic relief in the film, and his dopey characteristics and clumsy style make for a few good laughs. Spall creates a lovable and slightly naive character that you instantly warm to and you want to be happy. His on screen presence is lovely and when opposite Hathaway he really shines. They manage to bounce off each other and create a completely mismatched couple that work, for the time they're together. Sylvie (Garai) is Dexter's wife and mother of his daughter, Jasmine. They look like they should work but clearly, beneath the surface they just don't. They are opposites, but not in the right way and have nothing in common, but what is nice about them together is that when they split they don't hate each other. It is rare for character's to do that, but it is nice and fresh to see two people split but still stay civil, even if it is just for the child. Garai is nice to watch in the role, and she gives and extra layer to the film and story. She comes off quite cold to start with, but is able to turn it around nearer the end of the film.
Ian (Spall) is Emma's friend and eventually her partner, he is a stand-up comedian waiting for his time to come. Spall is the main comic relief in the film, and his dopey characteristics and clumsy style make for a few good laughs. Spall creates a lovable and slightly naive character that you instantly warm to and you want to be happy. His on screen presence is lovely and when opposite Hathaway he really shines. They manage to bounce off each other and create a completely mismatched couple that work, for the time they're together. Sylvie (Garai) is Dexter's wife and mother of his daughter, Jasmine. They look like they should work but clearly, beneath the surface they just don't. They are opposites, but not in the right way and have nothing in common, but what is nice about them together is that when they split they don't hate each other. It is rare for character's to do that, but it is nice and fresh to see two people split but still stay civil, even if it is just for the child. Garai is nice to watch in the role, and she gives and extra layer to the film and story. She comes off quite cold to start with, but is able to turn it around nearer the end of the film.
Steven and Alison (Stott & Clarkson) are Dexter's parents and are quite similar to Emma and Dex. They are opposites but have a clear love and admiration for one another, this comes across wonderfully thanks to the two actors. Both Clarkson and Stott are wonderful and give such genuine and honest performances that at certain points got me quite emotional. They both played the roles incredibly and were captivating to watch, Clarkson in particular.
The director (Scherfig) does an incredible job at bringing the script to life and really brought the best out of all the actors involved. The script was adapted by Nicholls himself which is rare in Hollywood, but a nice treat. What is amazing about his script and characters is that every single one goes on a journey. Not just the main pair, but all the supporting roles as well, not one stone is left unturned and even the finest detail is finished to make a clever and emotional film. It truly is an amazing film that will make you laugh, warm your heart and make you cry. It won't be out for much longer, so get down to the cinema and catch it while you still can.
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