Written by Isabella Baute Arboleda
My Oxford Year, the new romantic Netflix original film, is set in one of the world’s most beautiful and historic universities and captivates audiences with its love story and its profound reflection on life’s unexpected turns.
The story begins with Ana De la Vega (Sofia Carson, The Life List), a determined young woman from New York, who decides to set aside her Wall Street career to pursue a dream: a year studying poetry at Oxford University and then go back to New York for a job waiting for her.
The film quickly introduces the audience and Ana to Jamie Davenport (Corey Mylchreest, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story). The two kick off their romance after Ana discovers that the charming man she met just days earlier is actually her new professor. Little does she know that this attractive man will change her life forever. They start a casual romance, but they both know this relationship isn’t going but as the year goes by their romance transforms into something deeper.
The emotional plot twist occurs when Ana discovers Jamie’s deep secret, which significantly impacts both his life and their relationship. This is a turning point for Ana, as she faces two choices: to return to the United States and follow her planned life, or to stay and fight for her relationship with Jamie — uncertain of whether it will last.
My Oxford Year’s plot combines a story of personal growth and romance with really touching moments. The beautiful setting of Oxford is one of the true highlights of the film as it creates a magical and romantic atmosphere with its beautiful views and historical buildings and stunning views. Through the movie, Jamie introduces Ana to the hidden beauties of Oxford, like hidden restaurants with food that Ana has never tried before, and libraries with all types of books.
Corey Mylchreest’s performance is one of the strongest parts of the film. He brings the emotion, charm, and vulnerability of his character to life in every scene. His acting provides the emotional strength that the film needs as he made the audience care about what might happen to him.
One scene that highlights his exceptional acting is when Ana uncovers the big secret. At the beginning of this scene, he is very angry, even yelling at Ana to leave. We can see a noticeable change in his voice and facial expressions. Gradually, he opens up to Ana about something personal, which Mylchreest portrays brilliantly. We witness how he transitions from pushing her away to allowing her in. This moment feels so natural and honest that it deepens our connection to the character and his emotions.
This movie had great potential to create a memorable romance however, there are elements in the film that affected the movie from reaching its full potential. The film feels too fast-paced and predictable. For instance, from the beginning, it was clear where Ana’s feelings for Jamie were headed. While initially they were seeking something light and fun; it was too obvious that Ana would eventually desire something more serious.
While Sofia Carson did well in some scenes her performance is the weakest overall. At times, her acting feels a bit unnatural and forced making it difficult to connect with her character. When Ana and Jamie engage in a serious fight, this moment is meant to be powerful, with both characters needing to convey strong emotions. However, Carson’s performance feels somewhat flat. It seems as if she is merely reading lines, lacking the hurt and anger that are essential for the scene.
While My Oxford Year has a romantic setting and a strong lead performance from Corey Mylchreest the movie fell short of its emotional impact. It had strong potential to be a remarkable film rather than just an average one.
