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“Anyone But You”: the Romcom Revival

Rory Martin

"Anyone But You" movie poster.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

If you’re looking for a movie to see for Valentine’s Day, “Anyone But You” brings rom-coms back in style. First be aware that it is rated R, and The Elephant in the Room does not support violations of the the Motion Picture Association of America’s rating advice, so upperclassmen only.


The peak of the rom-com is classified to have been the late 80s, 90s, and 2000s. With films like “When Harry Met Sally,” “10 Things I Hate About You,” and “27 Dresses,” it is clear that audiences loved the rom-com and the rom-com made them feel the same love right back.


Although some may say the rom-com never left, with films like “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” and “Crazy Rich Asians” being streamed and viewed millions of times in just over five years, “Anyone But You” proves them dead wrong.


The first crucial factor of the great rom-com, the meet cute, was easily met. Sydney Sweeney’s character Bea and Glen Powell’s character Ben meet in a café with a classic quirky bathroom scenario. They immediately show signs of their loveable selves, quick-wit for Ben and sassy optimism for Bea. But their romance can’t be that easy that quickly, as the couple faces many bumps on the road to Happily Ever After, each one more enjoyable than the last.


A second factor, maybe more audience-specific for Milton High viewers, is the setting of the film. The characters are modern Bostonians, yet the film has no crude remarks towards the often overplayed Boston accent or offensive appropriations of city pride. It may have been a minor detail in the film, but one that may take your Valentine’s movie date to the next level of relatability.


This can be said about the actors in almost every scene, although there are times where Sydney Sweeney seems sleepy and Glen Powell takes the sarcastic-jerk role a step beyond loveable; they seemed real. The scenario is just wild enough to be enticing, the side characters were zany but well-intentioned.


Finally, the locations are amazingly beautiful. Every scene, from the offices of Boston to the coast of Australia, has a light to it that just draws viewers in. It is truly a film of beautiful people in beautiful places.


So, this Cupid’s Day, think about hitting the local AMC, or renting “Anybody But You” at home for a time capsule into a romantic, fun time in film history.

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