Tout sauf toi

I went to see this movie because I am a sucker for a romantic comedy, even the average ones (and let's face it, most of them are). Having seen the trailer, I had low expectations, yet this film still managed to come it at an even lower level.

Boy meets girl, they hit it off briefly, there is a misunderstanding and when they reconnect through a friend/family wedding, they hate each other. Except as anyone could predict, ultimately they don't really, but it takes an eternity of inauthentic, puerile dross to get there. No tissues needed here.

The acting is generally average to poor, and local actors like Rachel Griffiths and Bryan Brown (much of it filmed in Australia) do the minimum required, and are completely wasted here. The script is juvenile, facile and has little in common with reality. The direction is pedestrian and much of the movie is a travel ad for Sydney. Throw in plastic, unlikeable characters and a healthy dose of gratuitous nudity. The attempts at comedy are almost laughable as that, and what little romance eventuates at the end fails to convince after nearly two hours of tripe beforehand.

Not recommended, even if you are a fan of the genre.

I knew from the trailers that I would love this. But if I'd known it was a "Much Ado About Nothing" retelling, I would've gotten around to watching it way sooner. It took me until about a quarter of the way in, but then all the names and Shakespeare quotes made sense. I loved the clever callbacks to both the play and the 1993 movie, from the overdramatic conversations overheard in the garden to the leads even looking a bit like Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh. This had me grinning from ear to ear. And my goodness, the credits had me cackling. I will never listen to "Unwritten" the same way again.

The only reason I watched Anyone But You was because I have slowly come to appreciate Glen Powell. I wasn't expecting much, and I Didn't get much. Just imagine all of the standard rom-com tropes and you will surely be able to spot each one throughout the film. A spark on a first date, the breakup, and the back and forth will-they-won't-they until they come together in the end. "Spoiler" alert, if you didn't already see that coming. I don't know why I gave it a 6, but that's just what it felt like. Anyone But You had its share of good moments, but if Glen Powell or rom-coms aren't your thing, then there isn't much for you here.

Bea (Sydney Sweeney) meets Ben (Glen Powell) in a coffee shop and they hook up. There are misunderstandings next morning and they leave angry. It turns out that his friend is marrying her sister. The two enemies have to attend a destination wedding in Australia.

Sweeney and Powell are trying all kind of broad physical humor. They are both gorgeous and both have good charisma. Neither are outright comedians and that is important. They are mildly funny but are rarely the funniest part. The first big laugh is the WTF old guy while the two bicker. The butt grabbing scene kinda works, but the leads may be overshadowed by a koala. This duo tries very hard. It's so ridiculous that it's mildly funny.

Neither brilliant nor dreadful, "Anyone But You" features a cast of characters that are unbelievably attractive and, apparently, insanely wealthy. It stars Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeny's breasts in the formulatic equivalent of a Hallmark Movie knock-off. You know the drill - two perfect young people meet, are instantly attracted to each other, are separated by a misunderstanding with hilarious hijinks ensuing. The misunderstanding is eventually resolved, love blooms once more, and all ends well.

What sets this film apart is excellent cinematography with lovely wide-angle views of the Australian countryside. The supporting cast is very capable although the Australian men are played as oafish stereotypes. Glen Powell plays his part well, but Sydney Sweeny appears to be reading her lines from a teleprompter offscreen. Not the worst movie out this holiday season and enjoyable as long as you refrain from high expectations.