Surprised by Oxford

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 did not know anything about this film, I turned up, it had an intro by the writer of the book it's based on - Carolyn Weber, and the producer too. And I have to admit, this film is rather good. The intro goes on about it being a romance film, which it sort of is, but really goes into the lead character- Carolyn's life from a child in America and the years at Oxford, England.

Roes Reid is brilliant as Carolyn, who struggles with study, a strange romance and if she is a religious person, after meeting Kent Weber, played with proper conviction, by Ruairi O'Connor. He is a very religious person and his views and others make Carolyn, really question her life and what she really wants and what she thinks of others.

Oxford looks really nice, the direction by Ryan Whitaker is spot on, capturing the background of Oxford, along with the cast which has star turns from Simon Callow, Jordan Alexandra, Emma Naomi, a very memorable Lourdes Faberes, and the splendid Phyllis logan, who is quite changeable and starts off as very stiff, but really is a driving force too.

I give this 7.5 /10 as I was Surprised by Oxford. But I don't think I'd want to study or work there though..

This is the worst movie I've seen in years. The only positive aspect is the setting and cinematography.

Girl goes to Oxford; pretentious people talk about literature to impress one another; girl flip-flops between b*tch and wallflower yet somehow everyone adores her. Despite no romance or chemistry, she wakes up one random day hopelessly in love with the man she's shunned for a year.

There. Now that you've read my summary, there's no need to watch the movie because the film offers no further character development, insight into humanity, nor entertainment. Whatever philosophical or theological discussions the book might contain have not been well represented on film.

I did not know anything about the film or the book - friends invited me.

Absorbing film about an American grad student's intellectual, emotional, philosophical and spiritual maturation and change while at Oxford.

Great Oxford scene-scape, engaging leads Rose Reid and Ruari O'Connor and wonderful to see British actors such as Phyllis Logan, Simon Callow and Ed Stoppard in supporting roles.

I think the film could have benefited from additional short scenes marveling the beauty of Anglican churches, choir music as well as moments of introspection by Carolyn.

Apparently the film has been categorized as a Christian film but we did not feel that it was very religious - actually the film raises universal themes of community, connection and purpose.

We are regular movie-goers - and baffled that there was no publicity for this film and that it apparently was only screened for two days. Surprised by Oxford deserves a regular theatrical run and more/more targeted publicity.

This unfortunately is one of those films that had good intentions but the depth of the book/ memoir of converting an atheist book nerd into a Christian is lacking and the TDH focus is almost a demeaning detriment to the story.

The two leads sort of have some chemistry towards the end but it's a hard pill to swallow especially with the terrible Harry Potter wardrobe mixed with terrible outfits for Caro and the hairstylist was all over the place.

The best part is the Oxford scenery yet the supporting charade quite shallow so the romantic part falls flat to the point that one almost wishes they do not end up together plus what man would put up with her fathomable endless tantrums.

The literature vs God elements are lightly brushed upon but are not deep enough to truly believe the Caro character would convert not only to God but more so like the book to Christianity / Jesus. It's a poorly executed adaptation.

However it would have been more interesting if the CS Lewis elements were more pronounced instead of the silly TDH ( tall dark and handsome).

Most might enjoy that the religious faith elements are only a minor part but unfortunately it creates an unfulfilling journey of confusion rather than passion and inner spiritual journey which the book accomplishes to a greater extent.

The ending is quite shocking in a bad way because it's not realistic especially when one reads what transpires in the future. The film feels more like a big question mark of a cross of a Lifetime movie mixed with wannabe be Faith movie.

Go in with low expectations and maybe the film might inspire a trip to see Oxford.

5 stars for Oxford scenes.