The One and Only (film)

Infobox Film
name = The One and Only


caption =
writer = Peter Flannery
starring = Justine Waddell
Richard Roxburgh
Jonathan Cake
music = Gabriel Yared
director = Simon Cellan Jones
producer = Leslee Udwin
cinematography = Remi Adefarasin
editing = Pia Di Ciaula
distributor =
released = 2002
runtime = 91 mins
language = English
country = UK
followed_by =
budget =
imdb_id = 0286864|

"The One and Only" is a 2002 comedy/romance contemporary film set in Newcastle and Gateshead. The film was supported by Newcastle City Council as it was felt to promote a positive image of the city. It was directed by Simon Cellan Jones, and stars Richard Roxburgh and Justine Waddell.

ynopsis

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 others arms?

Cast

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.

References

External links

*imdb title|id=0286864|title=The One and Only
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2779703.stm BBC News review]