Of the 75 Romantic Comedies released in the past four years, the main country of production came from the United States yet none had lived up to the ones in the past: “La La Land”, “The Fault in Our Stars”, and “Crazy Rich Asians”. That was until Will Gluck released his seventh film, “Anyone But You”, his third Romantic Comedy and his first in over ten years.
“Anyone But You” became a viral TikTok trend in the following weeks with the song “Unwritten” by Natalie Bedingfield being the sound cinema goers related with. In Gluck’s previous work, “Easy A” (2010), he also used one of Bedingfield’s songs, “Pocket of Sunshine” as a song that the main character sang along to, leading to her being the relatable protagonist that many try to achieve.
“Anyone But You” was a breath of fresh air back into the genre of what a Romantic Comedy should consist of.
The movie follows Bea (Sydney Sweeny), a Boston University law student, and Ben (Glen Powell), a finance bro hiding emotional wounds behind his f-boy nature. Running into each other at a coffee shop the two hit it off starting what many would think to be a new budding romance however after one night together animosity is the only thing brewing between them. Meeting yet again later on, Ben’s close friend, Claudia, and Bea’s sister, Halle, reveal that they are getting married in Australia leaving the two lovers to enemies in an awkward position.
After Bea’s ex-boyfriend, who her parents want her to marry, and Ben’s ex-girlfriend, who he is still hung up on, show up before the wedding, the two enact a plan to not only help the wedding go off without a hitch but for Bea’s parents to back off and for Ben to get back together with his ex.
Embarking on a journey of fake dating, this enemies to lovers tale is any hopeless romantic’s dream blending Hollywood with real moments that any person could experience.
With a 51% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but an 87% for the audience and grossing over $80 million in theaters. I am in the demographic that agrees with the audience, “Anyone But You” is unmatched in its level of humor and portrays a modern day love story. Being nominated for four awards, three through the People’s choice awards, it truly shows how the audience feels.
Overall this reporter enjoyed a movie that brought new passion into the genre.
5/5 stars
