THE ONE AND ONLY

UK, 2002, 92 minutes, Colour.
Justine Waddell, Richard Roxburgh, Jonathan Cake, Patsy Kensit, Michael Hodgson, Aisling O' Sullivan.
Directed by Simon Cellan Jones.

The One and Only is an adaptation of a Danish film of 1999 for the United Kingdom. The original film was by Susan Bier (Open Hearts, Brothers, Things We Lost in the Fire).

The action is transferred to Newcastle. The film focuses on two couples and their difficulties of their marriage. Things are brought to a head when a partner from each is attracted to the other. One, Justine Waddell, is pregnant to her Italian footballing husband, Jonathan Cake. The other is Richard Roxburgh who is bossed around by his wife, Aisling O’ Sullivan.

In the background are a couple who try to help, whose preoccupation is about sex, especially in their conversation.

While the film takes a whimsical tone, especially about marriage, commitment and break-up, using some of the stereotypes for comedy, it also has some more serious moments, especially in terms of a commitment in marriage and the issue of abortion.

Australian Richard Roxburgh takes on the Geordie accent for the hero.

1. The remake of a Danish film? The transferring of plot and characters as well as humour to Newcastle?

2. The Newcastle locations and the city as a character in the film, its bridges, river, the angel statue?

3. The title, to whom did it refer?

4. The patterns of the three different couples, their relationships, changes, death, betrayal?

5. Neil and Jenny, their relationship, the time together, no children, the decision to adopt, the interviews, the different motivations? Neil and his being bossed about by Jenny, wanting to leave her? Her toughness? Getting the child, Mgala? Its effect on their lives? Neil finding it more difficult to leave? Jenny and her sternness, going out to get the milk, the accident? The impact of her death - and Neil being relieved?

6. The contrast with Sonny and Stevie, the Italian football player and the parody of the hulking muscular brainless football player mangling his English? The lifestyle? Stevie and her glamour? Their not having any children? Wanting the kitchen, Neil and his delivering the kitchen, setting it up, the attraction towards Stevie? Her telling about her pregnancy? Meeting Donna at the manicure salon? Her mother? Realisation that she was going on the trip to Florence with Sonny? The clash with Sonny, throwing him out? Wanting the divorce? Sonny and his catching Neil in the room, though innocent? The preparation of divorce proceedings?

7. Stella and Stan, their sex preoccupation, their different stories, Stan and his work with Neil for the kitchens? The supermarket story? Stella and her telling the stories to Stevie? The further encounters? The sexual relationship? Each of them helping Neil and Stevie?

8. The divorce, Sonny and his changes of attitude? Stevie and her decision to have the abortion, going to the clinic, the preparations, going into the surgery? Neil and his realisation, desperation, racing to the hospital? His pleas for her not to kill the child?

9. Mgala and her being African, her relationship with Neil, not saying anything, eventually breaking out, singing? Her quizzical look at each of the characters? Her relationship to Stevie? The end and the new family, the baby and Mgala having parents?

10. A successful comedy, playing for laughs, the stereotypes?