My Oxford Year Review: Almost Forever

To be considered among the greats, some people think a great film has to break the mold. However, sometimes it can just exist within the mold to show its excellence. My Oxford Year falls into this category.

It doesn’t break the romantic drama standards but fits nicely within them. It’s a comforting movie because it’s formulaic. My Oxford Year operates with a romantic genre checklist.

Warning: My Oxford Year spoilers are ahead.

The must-haves: karaoke scene, sharing of street food, kissing in the rain, poetry, a subplot about friends falling in love, absent parent, and the death of one main character.

If you have seen many romantic dramas or comedies, you know that My Oxford Year uses so many clichés about them. This includes early tension that turns into something casual that grows into love, and ends in heartbreak before getting to the happy ending.

The movie charms its audience despite its predictability. Much of the credit goes to the dreamy plot of traveling abroad to study literary greats, only to find love on the journey. Many book lovers can attest to this being the goal and dream.

The film feels dreamy without actually necessarily operating in that way. It’s not a fairy tale.

Jamie and Anna aren’t exactly the most realistic characters, but not unrealistic to the point of being unbelievable. They exist in some version of this world.

Nevertheless, destiny feels like the key point of their love story. Everything that happens in their life leads them to this moment. Jamie’s impending fate also adds to the idea that they only get these moments and must live them well.

Losing a loved one isn’t the dreamy part; it’s finding someone who makes those last moments worth living.

My Oxford Year very much acts as a way to further prop up Cory Mylchreest as someone to trust when it comes to romantic material. He has a way of making you believe he’s madly in love with his costars.

Additionally, he has a natural scene presence that is a bit awkward even when trying to be suave. It’s that little dorky quality that endears you immediately to Jamie. Even as a manwhore, you quickly forgive him.

You cannot help but mourn Jamie in the end. It’s a movie where the feelings are big and come across especially in loss.

Love is beautiful, but just because it doesn’t last doesn’t mean it’s any less meaningful. That’s the heart and soul behind My Oxford Year. Love can still have meaning even with loss.

Overall, the film warms and breaks the heart in all the right ways. It’s worth a weekend watch.

Stray Thoughts

• Love the Bridgerton reference, a not-so-subtle nod to Netflix and Mylchreest’s
• All the supporting characters in My Oxford Year are very fun and entertaining.
• The street vendor’s food looks so good
• I don’t know enough about Oxford to say if it’s an accurate portrayal of the school and life, but I am intrigued to know the answer.
• I enjoy that Anna’s Latina heritage plays such a big part in the storyline.
• Another romance must: library scenes, so hot.

What did you think of My Oxford Year? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!

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My Oxford Year is available to stream on Netflix. 

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