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"Surprised by Oxford" is a new dramatic feature, directed by Ryan Whitaker, adapting the novel "Surprised by Oxford: A Memoir" by Carolyn Weber, starring Rose Reid, Mark Williams, Phyllis Logan, Ryan Whitaker and Jordan Alexandra releasing December 1, 2023 in digital formats:

"...brilliant but emotionally-guarded 'Caro Drake' arrives in Oxford with the singular goal of attaining her 'PhD'..

"...but through a turbulent friendship with a charming young man she starts to open herself up to mystery, vulnerability and love..."

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"He's proving to be quite the distraction." Goldwyn Films debuts this indie romance on VOD in December, after its initial small theatrical debut in September in both the UK and US. Surprised by Oxford marks the feature directorial debut of filmmaker Ryan Whitaker, who's adapting the story found in the memoir by Carolyn Weber. Brilliant but emotionally-guarded Caro arrives in Oxford with the singular goal of attaining her PhD, but through a turbulent friendship with a charming young man she begins to open herself up to mystery, vulnerability, and love. Headlined by Rose Reid, the film takes viewers on a transformative and tumultuous journey. The cast includes Ruairi O'Connor as her lover, Phyllis Logan, Mark Williams, Simon Callow, with Emma Naomi, Michael Culkin, and Annabelle Holloway. This doesn't seem all that bad for a romance, featuring a bit less camp than usual, plus strong performances and intense passion. // Continue Reading...

Adapted from Carolyn Weber’s memoir of the same name, Ryan Whitaker’s drama suggests that finding love and God when you least expect it is a deeply bland affair

This is a film based on a true story, but it doesn’t make this faith-based romantic drama look or feel anything like reality. It is adapted from a memoir by the American author and academic Carolyn Weber about her time at Oxford on a full scholarship writing a PhD on the Romantics. I felt it in the pit of my stomach about 10 minutes in when it dawned on me the “surprise” was that she found God.

Directed by Ryan Whitaker, this is a film very much in keeping with the conventions of Christian drama: blandly inspirational with a glazed-over style of acting, aside from some gobsmackingly unsubtle eccentric professors, hammily performed by actors including Simon Callow. (I half-wondered if...