Based on the book by Julia Whelan, My Oxford Year follows Anna De La Vega (Sofia Carson) as she sets out to the prestigious university to study poetry. She’s had her life planned out just so, but she never expected to meet Jamie Davenport (Corey Mylchreest). A PHD student filling in as a TA for the poetry class that Anna is taking, the two have a rocky start that quickly develops into something life changing.
The student teacher relationship aside, I have to say that I thought the relationship between our two main characters was lovely to watch. I’m a sucker for a good enemies to lovers trope, but this one packed a punch I didn’t see coming. It seems as though Carson has been in everything and anything on Netflix lately, but I am not complaining. I was familiar with Mylchreest from Queen Charlotte and remember him being quite the heartthrob. Together they had a sweet and organic chemistry; I was rooting for them from the beginning.
As I hadn’t read the book prior to watching the film, I went in blindly and I was completely floored when I discovered where the story was going. I probably shouldn’t have been too surprised and yet I was still caught off guard by how touching the whole thing was. The importance of living every moment as if it’s your last was not only prominent, but depicted perfectly.
Another selling point for me was, of course, the beautiful Oxford backdrop. It’s been a hot minute since I last visited, but I was instantly transported there. The various pub outings, kebab stand and the Oxford vs. Cambridge boat race were just so quintessentially British that I couldn’t help but smile.
Overall, I went into My Oxford Year expecting a cute, easy going rom-com and came out of it with something more. The acting may not have been the best and I didn’t really care for the side characters, but that’s okay. The story and the central romance was enough to keep me invested.
Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5
Credits Rolling 