The two-time nominated film for the People’s Choice Award, Anyone but You, starring Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell is a cute and refreshing rom-com that may be the best one Hollywood has produced in years.
A few months after Bea (Sydney Sweeney) and Ben’s (Glen Powell) failed meet-cute in a coffee shop, their paths cross once again when Pete’s (GaTa) sister Claudia (Alexandra Shipp) coincidentally falls into a new relationship with Bea’s sister Halle (Hadley Robinson). One year later, both Bea and Ben are invited to their wedding in Australia. From the beginning of the trip, their mutual hate towards one another began ruining everyone else’s time. However, everyone recognized that they had undeniable chemistry with each other and began plotting ways to get them together. This did not fool them. To make everyone believe that they actually like each other, they began a fake relationship. As the film goes on so does the chemistry and the hate they both originally had began brewing into undeniable love.
Anyone but You was released in theaters on December 22, 2023, and runs a total of 1 hour and 43 minutes. Although this film was a box office fail – that grossed over 200 million dollars worldwide – it was delightful and filled with equal parts romance and comedy. Additionally, It was loosely based on and inspired by “Much Ado About Nothing” by Shakespeare.
This isn’t Director Will Gluck’s first run with rom-coms such as this one. In 2011 he directed “Friends with Benefits” which starred Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake. These two films share undeniable similarities. Both films have the classic rom-com story and plot line. A girl wants to step out of her comfort zone, into new territory, and the guy wants someone to get off his back. Ultimately the two jump into fake dating one another. Disregarding the predictable plot line, it still was a swoon-worthy film.
Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell’s performances in this movie were outstanding. Given their complex characters, the chemistry and love they have for each other can be seen on and off the screen.
Glen Powell’s character, Ben, is very emotionally protective and doesn’t let many people within those barriers know his soft, caring side let alone that he even has that. Sydney Sweeny’s character, Bea, is a “good girl” archetype. She originally fell in love with her first boyfriend and childhood friend Jonathan (Darren Barnet). He was the only guy she’d ever been with. She also had failed dreams of becoming a lawyer which may have been the only reason her helicopter parents (Dermot Mulroney, and Rachel Griffiths) pushed for her to continue the relationship with Jonathan.
This film is rated R for reasons such as language, sexual content, and graphic nudity. It is not suitable for younger audiences; however, it is a must-watch for hopeless romantics and rom-com lovers.
7/10
