is this an adaptation of a book by the same or similar name? i'm feeling deja vu-ish...

This sounds like the Time Traveler's Wife, but without actual time travel.

Sounds to me like the 70's era play, "Same Time Next Year," later made into a movie with Alan Alda and Ellen Burstyn. They played two people having an affair who met in the same hotel room once a year for over 20 years.

If there's going to be a movie based on the book (One Day by David Nicholls), then there really is no way to avoid the 'formula' that Hallett refers to.
Each chapter takes place on July 15th - starting in 1988 and ending 20 or so years later.
So, it makes sense that each scene in the movie would do the same.

But yes, I hated the end of the book. And Im sure I'll hate the ending of the movie.

If there's going to be a movie based on the book (One Day by David Nicholls), then there really is no way to avoid the 'formula' that Hallett refers to.
Each chapter takes place on July 15th - starting in 1988 and ending 20 or so years later.
So, it makes sense that each scene in the movie would do the same.

But yes, I hated the end of the book. And Im sure I'll hate the ending of the movie.