Surprised by Oxford

This movie is based on a memoire of her life by Caro Weber who was born in the 1970s, so being a college age student the story would have taken place in the 1990s. The main character in this movie is Caro Drake. Some of it was filmed in Nashville but most of it in Oxford, England.

Caro is a very serious student who always seems to be more prepared than the other students, even in middle school. When philosophical concepts arise in the classroom she is never shy to challenge the teacher. When she is graduating she is surprised with a full-ride scholarship to Oxford, she plans to get her PhD in Early English Literature.

She quickly encounters an American student there (played well by an Irish actor) and he takes a keen interest in her. She is different from the other female students, her efforts to get rid of his attention only seems to energize him more.

Not a lot happens in this movie, the more interesting scenes are philosophical exchanges, some with other students, some with professors or administrators. All the while Caro is trying to sort ot her confusion about what is really important in life. There is a mild faith element but it isn't pushed, mainly to put your faith forward, believe in things, figure out what your life is about.

My wife and I watched it at home, streaming. We enjoyed it but it is not a candidate for a re-watch.

This film keeps touching on some fairly powerful possibilities but then presents them in such an allusive way that the sudden bursts of emotion or reference to strong feelings and dilemmas come a bit out of nowhere. The protagonist is a pretty unique person and has a strong back story, but her interactions with her love interest hover between predictable and unmotivated and what is apparently meant to be a spiritual crisis seems like dilettantism more than profound exploration. Never mind that her main crisis here makes no particular sense given the unanchored quality of both her romantic and her spiritual questings. Really, the best part of the film is glimpses of Oxford and the excellent older British character actors playing the dons.

I enjoyed the book so I was anxious to see the movie, but disappointed. In the book, among Oxford erudites, Caro learned there is more to life than the education of man, God and Jesus. The movie is more about her relationship with the man she falls in love with. I does give one a good perspective of Oxford which seems to have a culture if its own in 37 or 38 colleges. That was interesting and informative.

Admission was more than twice the price of regular admission and may have accounted for just 4 people in the theatre when I went.

I am sending the book to others. See the movie for the scenery.

Set against the historical and opulent backdrop of Oxford University, 'Surprised by Oxford' delves into the intricacies of the human soul-its yearnings for connection, love, and faith. Based on a true story, Caro Drake's pursuit for intellectual achievement transforms into a poignant exploration of the heart and mind.

I enjoyed every second of this film, from the gorgeous settings to the brilliantly displayed journey of faith. It displays a cinematic yet realistic view of the struggles of the mind and heart as they lean into the complexities of faith.

With an excellent balance of push and pull, strength and vulnerability, restraint and release, Caro's story stole my heart. She is such a unique character. The dynamics of her friendships, especially with Kent, and the way they evolve despite differences in beliefs moves me.

This film offers my first introduction to Rose Reid, who portrays Caro, and Ruairi O'Conner (Kent.) Both actors give remarkable performances and exude genuineness and believability. For that matter, the entire cast are exceptionally talented.

I appreciate the incorporation of spiritual elements through the works of literary scholars, such as C. S. Lewis. This integration of academia and spirituality builds wisdom, faith, love, and acceptance into a path of self-discovery.

I highly recommend this smart, witty, heartwarming, and soul-satisfying film. I loved it.

"The strength you speak of... perhaps you're looking for it in the wrong place." - Favorite quote from the film.

#SurprisedByOxfordMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork Many thanks to Evolve Studios for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

I struggled to get through this movie. Reviews and critiques about literature are highly subjective so writing an entire movie around the concept is frustrating to be honest with you. I never felt the main character, Caro, ever really got there...wherever THAT is. Learning to love? Learning to trust? Who knows. She was so mired in her own issues, projecting her problems on to everyone else including the staff at one of the most prestigious universities in the world, and toying with her future mate that so much was left to be desired. By the end I could have cared less if they ended up together or not. She was lucky to get him with her tantrums and expectations. I can never get back the time I put into watching this movie. The only thing that was worthy of turning this dribble on were the beautiful scenes of Oxford. Other than that, don't waste your time.