The One and Only (2002 film)
| The One and Only | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Simon Cellan Jones |
| Produced by | Leslee Udwin |
| Written by |
Peter Flannery (English adaptation) Kim Fupz Aakeson (original screenplay) Susanne Bier (uncredited original story) |
| Starring |
Justine Waddell Richard Roxburgh Jonathan Cake Sharon Scurfield |
| Music by | Gabriel Yared |
| Cinematography | Remi Adefarasin |
| Edited by | Pia Di Ciaula |
Release dates | 2002 |
Running time | 91 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The One and Only is a 2002 British romantic comedy film directed by Simon Cellan Jones, and starring Richard Roxburgh, Justine Waddell and Sharon Scurfield. The film is a remake of Susanne Bier's 1999 Danish box-office hit Den Eneste Ene. Supported by the Newcastle City Council to promote a positive image of the city, the story was reset in Newcastle and Gateshead.
Synopsis
The film opens with two couples visiting their GP for childlessness. Stevie is married to Sonny, an Italian footballer who plays for Newcastle United, but who has succumbed to frequent injury. He is desperate for a child, and it soon emerges that Stevie has not really been trying. She is reluctant to become pregnant as she doesn't want to get fat. Jenny and Neil are trying to adopt, as Neil is infertile. Being childless has turned Jenny into something of a monster, and Neil now views her with dislike. He wants to break with her but is too kind- hearted. He goes ahead with the plan to adopt to keep her happy. When Stevie meets Neil on the day he comes to deliver her brand new kitchen, it's already too late for love at first sight. Too late for both of them. Stevie is already five minutes pregnant by her Italian footballer husband. And too late for Neil too - his wife Jenny has already applied to adopt an African girl. But too late or otherwise, love at first sight is exactly what happens. How can Neil and Stevie get out of their mistaken marriages and into each other's arms?
Cast
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Justine Waddell | Stevie |
| Richard Roxburgh | Neil |
| Jonathan Cake | Andrea "Sonny" Bufflini |
| Patsy Kensit | Stella |
| Michael Hodgson | Stan |
| Aisling O'Sullivan | Jenny |
| Kerry Rolfe | Sharon |
| Joan Murphy | Theatre Sister |
| Donna Air | Donna |
| Angel Thomas | Mgala |
| Charlie Hardwick | Doctor |
| Tracey Gillman | Social Worker |
| Tom Goodman-Hill | Kitchen Salesman |
| Trevor Fox | Trevor |
| Joe Caffrey | Joe |
| Judi Earl | Manageress |
Themes
The film is a comedy, but deals with serious issues, such as childlessness, adultery and death. Newcastle is depicted as a city of rich and diverse architecture, with the "Angel of the North" featured prominently. Much of the comedic element derives from the over-the-top portrayal of Sonny the Italian footballer by Jonathan Cake, and the unlikely sexual alliance of Stan and Stella, played by Michael Hodgson and Patsy Kensit. Slobby Stan, best friend to Neil, is apparently irresistible to Stella, due to his liberal use of "pheromes". The film follows a fairly formulaic pattern, with a dramatic chase at the end to save both an unborn child and a small African girl.