Anyone But You (2023) Movie Review: A Glossy Rom-Com Aiming for the Big Screen
There’s something initially, strategically encouraging about the existence and positioning of Sony’s romantic comedy Anyone But You (2023). Unlike many recent films within the genre, which often find themselves relegated to streaming platforms, Anyone But You boldly aims for a big-screen release. This film, starring Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell, has been teased for almost a year, with semi-clad on-set photos and swirling rumors about the chemistry between its leads. With such a confident push, it feels like one of the most expensively marketed romantic comedies in recent years.
The Genre’s Struggle and the Film’s Promise
As Hollywood’s mid-budget films became increasingly rare in the 2010s, romantic comedies appeared to be on the verge of extinction. However, the 2018 success of Set It Up, starring Glen Powell, briefly revived hopes for the genre’s resurgence. Five years later, the genre still finds itself on shaky ground, but Anyone But You offers a glimmer of hope. Directed by Will Gluck and co-written by Ilana Wolpert, this film brings back the charm, wit, and swoon-worthy romance that has been sorely missing from recent entries.
Plot Overview
Anyone But You is a loose adaptation of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. It follows Ben (Glen Powell), a finance professional hiding deep emotional wounds behind a façade of casual relationships, and Bea (Sydney Sweeney), a law student unsure about her career path. Their initial encounter is electric—sparks fly as they spend a day and night together, sharing intimate conversations and grilled cheese sandwiches. However, when Bea overhears Ben dismiss their night together as meaningless to his best friend Pete (GaTa), she panics and leaves without a word.
Months later, their paths cross again when Bea’s sister Halle (Hadley Robinson) starts dating Pete’s sister Claudia (Alexandra Shipp). They meet once more at the sisters’ destination wedding in Australia. Despite their earlier friction, Ben and Bea decide to pretend they’re a couple to avoid further complications with their exes and families. Naturally, their ruse leads to unexpected emotional entanglements and the realization that there might be something more between them.
Characters and Performances
Ben and Bea are the heart of the film, brought to life by the palpable chemistry between Powell and Sweeney. Ben, with his scruffy charm reminiscent of Kurt Russell in Overboard, is a man who has built walls around his heart. Bea, with her sad eyes and soft-spoken demeanor, recalls Melanie Griffith in Working Girl. Their connection is deepened by Gluck’s skillful use of medium and close-up shots, which highlight their characters’ vulnerabilities and growing affection for each other.
Despite a strong supporting cast, including Dermot Mulroney and Rachel Griffiths as Bea’s overprotective parents, the film focuses squarely on the lead duo. The supporting characters provide comic relief and occasional plot progression, but the film’s emotional core remains with Ben and Bea.
Direction and Style
Director Will Gluck, who previously directed Friends With Benefits (2011), brings his trademark flair to Anyone But You. The film’s visual style is sleek and polished, harkening back to romantic comedies from the mid-2000s. Gluck also subverts the typical R-rated comedy formula by focusing more on the characters’ emotional journeys than on overt sexual content.
However, this visual glossiness is both a blessing and a curse. While it makes the film a visual treat, it also highlights the thinness of the plot. The Shakespearean roots of the story are evident, but the film sometimes struggles to balance its homage with the demands of a contemporary rom-com. The result is a film that looks great but occasionally falters in delivering the depth and humor expected from the genre.
The Nostalgia Factor
In many ways, Anyone But You feels like a nostalgic callback to a different era of romantic comedies. The film is set in the present but has the aesthetic and emotional tone of a film from two decades ago. This retro vibe is part of the film’s charm, offering a welcome respite from the often pedestrian presentation of modern rom-coms. However, the reliance on nostalgia also means the film struggles to establish its own identity, leaning too heavily on familiar tropes and visual cues.
Streaming on Netflix
For those looking to watch Anyone But You from the comfort of their homes, the film is available for streaming on Netflix. This makes it easily accessible for a wide audience, although the film’s big-screen ambitions suggest it’s worth experiencing in a theater if possible.
Final Verdict
Anyone But You (2023) is a glossy, big-budget romantic comedy that brings back some of the charm and excitement of the genre’s heyday. While it may not entirely succeed in reviving the rom-com, it offers enough wit, romance, and star power to make it a worthwhile watch. The film’s nostalgic tone and visual appeal are sure to attract fans of classic rom-coms, even if it doesn’t fully escape the genre’s modern-day challenges.
With its availability on Netflix, Anyone But You is easily accessible for those who want to enjoy a lighthearted romantic comedy that feels like a throwback to a simpler, more glamorous time in Hollywood. Whether you’re a die-hard rom-com fan or just looking for an entertaining watch, Anyone But You delivers a fun, if not entirely groundbreaking, cinematic experience.
