It's coming up to the time of year again where everyone is manipulated into being romantic for one day of the year. So no wonder there's a trickle of supposedly romantic titles out to buy for the one you love. At least it won't make them fat like chocolates will. This one however, may just have them wishing that they would have preferred that selection box after all.

The 15th July 1998; not really a date of any worth other than it's the day that Emma (Anne Hathaway) and Dexter (Jim Sturgess) spent the night together on their graduation night. Although nothing really happened, in the bedroom department at least, it was the day that Emma fell in love.

Over the years, the two become good friends, with Emma still holding a torch for Dexter, although she's always careful that he never sees it.

Their lives end up taking very different paths: Emma moves to London in the hope of making it as a writer, but ends up working in a Mexican restaurant; whereas Dexter finds himself in Paris, before returning to London to be the presenter of a supposedly hip TV show.

They do manage to stay in touch, but their very different lives always seem to get in the way of their relationship developing into anything more. But is it possible that one day, they may become more than just friends?

Pedal if you want to go faster!!!

Anyone familiar with the book (written by David Nicholls, who also wrote this screenplay) on which this film is based will know, the coming together of Emma and Dexter is always caught on exactly the same day of every year: the 15th July – the day they met. The film takes this premise and delivers almost snapshots of their lives on this day over a period of years.

The problem in doing this is that whereas a book can devote as many pages as required to every day, the film has to fit it all into a relatively short time span. This is particularly noticeable about halfway through, when the days start to feel shorter and shorter, resorting to almost the barest of glimpses. This in turn, makes not only the second half of the film, but the latter stages of their relationship feel extremely hurried. But even this isn't the most disappointing thing about this film.

There's something extremely unlikable about Dexter. Much of this is probably due to a really ugly performance by Sturgess, who appears to have all the personality of a wooden spoon. Some actors can play the cad, but at least inject their character with an unquestionable charm. Just look at anything Hugh Grant has starred in. Sturgess however, feels like he's just giving his audition piece to RADA throughout, with no subtlety whatsoever.

If he was simply a minor a character, it wouldn't really be a problem, but seeing he is the main love interest, it's a real struggle to want Emma to be with him. In fact despite the fact that Emma and her minor love interest Ian (Rafe Spall) aren't exactly made for each other (Spall plays a far softer version of his character Pete from the TV comedy show Pete versus Life), he's still far more preferable to the charmless Dexter.

It has to be said that Anne Hathaway does well as Emma, although her English accent does go on its own interesting journey throughout the film. Hathaway fulfils her requirement of having her ugly duckling persona blossom into an attractive young woman. It's just a pity she goes through it all for someone like Sturgess/Dexter.

And for a film supposedly about love, it has about as much romance as a KFC Party Bucket.

Still, the film acts as the perfect allegory for love; just as much as you know when you've met the right one, the same can be said for meeting the wrong one too. So don't be surprised if you just can't feel the love for One Day.