My Oxford Year

Corny? Absolutely. Cliché? Every damn minute. But did I eat it up like emotional comfort food? Without shame.

American girl with big dreams meets tortured British guy at Oxford. They hate each other, fall in love, and there's of course a tragic twist. It's every trope you've seen before, rainy kisses, scarf moments, emotional monologues, and yet it works.

Manipulative? 100%. Predictable? Hell yes.

Would I watch it again? Hell no.

Unoriginal, but irresistible. Well done Netflix!

In a world of endless sequels and blockbusters, finding a straightforward romance movie feels like a rare treat, and I'm so glad this one got made. It really leans into its own sweetness. The heart of the film is a simple, earnest love story that has that nostalgic, teenage-dream quality you can't help but smile at, even as an adult. The soundtrack, full of classic hits, is the perfect companion, really helping to sell that cozy, feel-good vibe.

Unfortunately, that charm starts to fray when it comes to the execution. The script feels like it's built on a foundation of familiar clichés, with dialogue that seems written in a hurry. This doesn't give the actors much to work with, and it shows, particularly with the lead. Her portrayal of Anna felt amateurish, and the character's instant "I'm wiser than everyone" attitude was a bit hard to swallow. It's a shame, because the core idea is so genuinely likeable.

As a nice touch, the film does a good job of soaking you in the Oxford atmosphere, with little details like rowing, croquet, and football adding to the world.

Ultimately, this is a movie with a big heart but a few clumsy feet. If you can look past the clunky script and forgive some of the flaws, you'll find a truly relaxing and heartwarming film that's perfect for a quiet night in.

She ruins the film. She can't act. Poor Corey tried his best, but they have no chemistry at all. I really enjoyed the book and loved Corey in Charlotte. I had high hopes. Too bad.

It also comes across way more vapid on film than in the book, and I wish this had been produced by someone else. Look at One Day for inspiration.

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.

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! ;)