***Disclaimer: This review does not include spoilers.***
From “When Harry Met Sally” (1989) to “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” (2003), the classic “rom-com” (romantic comedy) is a movie genre treasured by pop culture fans of every age. With a delightful mix of humor and a love story that has you waiting until the very last minutes of the movie, rom-coms are an age-old mood booster.
Although the love for rom-coms seemingly spans far and wide, the past decade has lacked movies with the classic rom-com feel of the late 1900s and early 2000s. Rather, movie makers have turned their focus towards recreating older films, like the recent “He’s All That” (2021) remake of 1999’s “She’s All That.” To viewers, it feels like it’s been so long since a new, original rom-com has arrived in theaters. Enter “Anyone But You” (2023).
Based on Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” “Anyone But You” features stars Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell in what I believe is the revival of the rom-com. The movie follows two characters, Ben and Bea, who cross paths in a coffee shop. Their chemistry is immediate, but a quick misunderstanding soon after their initial “meet-cute” causes them to part ways, both characters expecting to never see the other again.
However, as frequent rom-com watchers might have predicted, Ben and Bea’s expectations prove untrue. Ben happens to be the best friend of Bea’s sister’s fianceé, meaning that the two will meet again at a destination wedding in Australia, sharing a house with the rest of the wedding party to celebrate the marriage.
Most of the movie takes place during this destination wedding, and the remainder of the story makes clear why the movie has received positive feedback as it interweaves absurd plot twists and hilarious quips.
Fans of the movie have taken to the internet to display their love for the rom-com, demonstrating just how missed rom-coms truly were. From the Anyone But You TikTok trend (where users post themselves dramatically reacting to the end of the movie) to the increased popularity of the movie’s feature song, “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield, the movie reached #1 at the box office by its 18th day in theaters and garnered much praise from a variety of audiences.
With a charming mix of witty remarks and a romance story framed by the classic “fake-dating” trope, Anyone But You successfully combines humorous and romantic elements to create a movie entirely worth its 1 hour and 43 minutes. While not to say that the movie is a cinematic masterpiece, if viewers are looking for a funny, light-hearted movie to watch, Anyone But You certainly qualifies for the “to-be-watched” list.
Although the film has received positive reviews, it has also left viewers wishing for more. Many remain wondering: is the rom-com style back in fashion, or was this a one-hit wonder? I agree with the former. With the movie’s enticing storyline and creative humor, as well as its instant box office success, there is almost no doubt that viewers can expect more similar movies as “Anyone But You” ushers in the much-missed era of the rom-com.
