Anyone But You single-handedly restored my faith in Rom-Coms

When I arrived at my local movie theater to see the controversially marketed new rom-com Anyone But You, I genuinely did not have high hopes. My best friend and I thought the movie would be a gag at most and we would get to poke fun at it on our way home. About 10 minutes into the movie, I knew I was proven wrong. 

Now my viewing experience for this film was truly supreme - when I ordered popcorn, the boy straight up gave me an Era’s Tour bucket for no extra cost. I was already elated walking into the theater. I was with my best friend, and I had some sour patch watermelons. So, it was basically a perfect situation. That being said, I didn’t know what to expect from this film initially. Of course, I had seen the TikTok ads that would NOT let me breathe, the rumors about Sydney Sweeney & Glenn Powell (we'll circle back to that babes), and the preconceived notion that the rom-com genre is going downhill. The last good modern rom-com I remember seeing is Set it Up, also starring superstar leading man Glen Powell. However, that was a Netflix film and never got a theatrical release. 

I was not prepared for the laughs, the ear to smiles, and the genuine heartwarming nature of this film. To begin, the casting was superb. I would consider myself a fan of Sydney Sweeney - I appreciate her work in Euphoria, Everything Sucks, and The White Lotus. I could say the same, possibly even more so, for Glenn Powell. Between Set it Up, Everybody Wants Some, Top Gun Maverick, and his absolutely iconic role as Chad Radwell in Scream Queens, I am a full supporter of this gorgeous capybara man becoming the next leading man in the rom-com genre. He is giving what Matthew McConaughey gave in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, one of my all-time favorites from this genre. I even forgot that Darren Barnet is in this movie - you know, the almost 40-year-old playing a 17-year-old in Never Have I Ever. Jokes aside, I really do love that show and his portrayal of Paxton Hall-Yoshida. Although I felt his character in this movie was... unnecessary? They really didn’t give him too much depth. 

Though the plot of this film was predictable, a common trop with this genre, I still found myself leaving the theater thoroughly satisfied with a pep in my step. This was the ultimate feel-good movie. The location this film takes place in definitely contributes; the Australian coastline and Sydney (the city not the Sweeney) landmarks play a big role in the film's storyline, which I appreciated. Not to mention the feature of possibly the most uplifting song of all time, “Unwritten” by THEE Natasha Bedingfield. The dynamic between Sweeney's character, Bea, and her sister Halle is a focal point of the film, along with the relationship between Powell’s character Ben and his childhood friend Claudia, played by (the wickedly talented) Alexandra Shipp. By the way - this girl is killing it. She just had a part in Barbie and Space Oddity, not to mention her countless other roles spanning the decade. There were also brilliant chances for comic relief in this movie, taken advantage mostly by Pete (GaTa), Claudia’s brother - his character had me absolutely rolling. 

While this film doesn’t necessarily bring anything new to the table, it still manages to tell a heartwarming tale using the lovers-enemies-lovers trope. The pacing was good, the acting was even better, and the wardrobe was * chef's kiss.* I am still thinking about Sydney Sweeney in that stunning baby blue satin dress. Overall, I’d give this film a solid 4/5 stars. Predictable and cheesy? Absolutely. Exciting, a lil horny, and pretty funny? Definitely! 

To address the rumors about SS & GP... I genuinely couldn't care less. However... they have absolutely knocked boots. Sorry!