My Oxford Year

Let's play Romcom cliché Bingo:

• Sofia Carson is some kind of poor but superpretty A-type underdog (as in all her movies). Check!

• Main character has one gay and one quirky bestie. Check!

• Main characters are (at least somewhat) enemies to lovers. Check!

• Getting stuck in the rain leads to a kiss
• The cringey karaoke song that's supposed to be "a bit wild but still fun and cute". Check!

• The tragical twist (won't spoil what). Check!

• The whimsical setting that is Oxford. Check!

• The dancing with other people in order to make the person you like jelly. Check!

• The grand romantic geture(s) with first editions of books etc. Check!

The list goes on and on and I find myself wondering whilst watching if even ONE single scene is original. The answer is a clear NOPE!

Did I still watch it until the very end, enjoying it and wondering if they'd get their happy end?

You bet your cute butt I did! ;)

A fitting addition to these 'woman finds herself in Europe' movies. Bad in good ways. Amazing how small a world it is that the same 4 people constantly run into each other. Predictable but in a comforting way. Dad bod alert. Not exactly an accurate portrayal of dying and disease. But still oddly warm and stock photo pretty.

I watched My Oxford Year on Netflix, and honestly, I was pretty disappointed. Sophia Carson's character, Anna, was just so unlikable. She came across as way too full of herself, with this smug ego that made it hard to root for her. It was off-putting enough to make me want to switch it off at times. The storyline felt like a blatant rip-off of Me Before You-same vibes, same predictable script, just not as well done. The acting didn't help either; it was stiff and wooden across the board, like nobody was really connecting with their roles. I wanted to like it, but it just didn't deliver. Maybe it's just me, but I'd give this one a pass.

This film had script that was written by someone who's never been to Oxford or had put it through AI and thought that will do. The whole thing never gelled together.

The lead actress is wooden and emits no emotion with her monotone voice and lack of chemistry with the lead man. Speaking of the lead man he can act but I just wish he wouldn't mumble and speak properly.

The best part is the supporting cast particularly the character Charlie who brings some natural comic relief and personality to film along with the two other characters that play his friends

This is a type of film to have on in the background.

My Oxford Year desperately wants to be a Love Story for the 21st century, presumably with the object of leaving its audience sobbing uncontrollably. Unfortunately, the plotting is so obviously contrived and predictable that it's unlikely to achieve that goal with any but the most susceptible viewer. The best it manages to be is Emily In Paris: The Movie. Sofia Carson as Anna looks a bit like Lily Collins, but doesn't have anywhere near as much charisma or charm. Or the ability to make ridiculous outfits seem chic, or at least fun. We fare better with Corey Mylchreest, who brings a Montgomery Clift-like vibe to Jamie, and easily steals the movie. Despite being the healthiest looking cancer sufferer in the history of cinema. Dougray Scott deserves special mention for going above and beyond to bring some real emotional depth as Jamie's father. Great locations and an excellent supporting cast just about make it worth enduring the endless cliches. But you'll probably suss that out within the first ten minutes.