Girl meets boy.
The starting point of “One Day”, a series released online on Netflix this Thursday, is quite banal.
However, the story of Emma and Dexter transcribed over two decades – from 1988 to 2007 – is memorable.
The original novel, published by author David Nicholls in 2008, was a worldwide bestseller.
The writer himself wrote the screenplay for its film adaptation in 2011 with Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess as the heroes.
The result was more than mixed, far from the level of the book.
More than a decade later, the story returns to the forefront thanks to a new series adaptation, signed by Nicole Taylor, screenwriter of the film “Wild Rose”.
David Nicholls, however, remains involved as producer.
The format of fourteen episodes lasting an average of half an hour allows the pace of the original work to be done justice.
Each chapter was devoted to a single day, July 15 of each year.
This is also the case for each part of the fiction, with the exception of the last two, which accelerate the narration a little between 2000 and 2007.
In 1988, at the college graduation party, Emma and Dexter speak to each other for the first time.
Their mutual attraction is obvious and they are about to have a one-night stand.
But she tells him that “there’s nothing sexier than talking.”
They then spend the night together, without carnal knowledge.
Impossible not to get excited for them
We then find them a year apart each time, as they meet again, become friends, each moving forward and evolving on their own.
It's obvious that the initial attraction is still there, but circumstances and their respective relationships prevent them from crossing the line between friendship and love.
From the first minutes of “One Day”, the magic happens because the alchemy between actors Ambika Mod (Emma) and Leo Woodall (Dexter) sparks.
The latter is of undeniable beauty and benefits from crazy charisma.
Spotted in the second season of “The White Lotus”, the 27-year-old actor only has to flash a smile to melt his partner as much as the spectators.
As for the 28-year-old actress, revealed by the series “This Is Going To Hurt”, she seduces with her more discreet charm, her wit and her humor.
Their characters don't seem meant to be together and yet, it's impossible not to fall in love with them.
An emotional roller coaster
Each episode is a slice of life with its own identity.
Whether thanks to its settings which move from Edinburgh to Italy or Greece, from London to Paris, or by the nuances of tones between the carefree beginnings and the disillusions of adulthood.
Touching and often funny, “Un jour” also turns out to be heartbreaking.
This emotional roller coaster fits perfectly with the fluctuations of life, the heroes are built before our eyes (even if they don't seem to age that much), take detours for better and for worse and make our hearts palpitate at the same time. 'unison.
With the bonus of a remarkable nostalgic soundtrack where we hear Elliott Smith, Peter Gabriel, and even MC Solaar.
Editor's note:
4.5/5
" A day ",
British series by Nicole Taylor (2024), with Ambika Mod, Leo Woodall, Amber Grappy… Fourteen episodes of 19 to 38 minutes each.