Many thanks to Evolve Studios for providing a sample of the following for review. My opinions are 100% my own.
Irish poet and playwright W.B. Yeats once said, “How many loved your moments of glad grace, And loved your beauty with love false or true; But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you, And loved the sorrows of your changing face.” with Yeats’ romantic spinning may sound that of a different time. As our present world ever-fixates on present the repetitive nature of swipes, emoticons, and the frenetic blurring of notifications. Creating within many the need for simpler norms, making this season the perfect cinematic release of Ryan Whitaker’s sophomore directorial feature, Surprised by Oxford.
Based on a true story, adapted from Carolyn Weber’s memoir of the same name, Surprised by Oxford follows Caro Drake (Rose Reid), an intellectual, yet lovingly sophomoric American student, who is granted a scholarship to the prestigious Oxford University, endeavoring to make peace of her turbulent childhood, while pushing forward in obtaining her post-graduate career in English literature-specifically, Romanticism. Our story’s heroine balances an insatiable desire for knowledge and discovery of reason.
Soon after arriving at the fictional Tirian College, our story’s heroine befriends both Hannah (Emma Naomi) and Linnea (Jordan Alexandra), while pretentiously tutoring academics as young people often do. While sharing with viewers the true dichotomy of the story. The blending of a young woman’s need for understanding and love. This moment comes by way of the story’s heartthrob, Kent (Ruairí O’Connor), a talented local student who provides the film’s necessary romantic push-and-pull dichotomy, which Reid offers in a relaxed, meet-cute presence. A necessity for any 90s-style film, like this.
The film’s main theme, attraction-between these two young lovers, and pf knowledge, and discovery itself, serves to anchor the film’s playfulness and dilemmas-bending ideals in one. With a clever blend of skepticism and self-discovery, for both Christian zealot, Kent, and that of the heart of the woman he adores, the film’s protagonist, Caro. Who, over time comes to reeducate Kent over the obstacles of romance, spirituality, and the ways of a woman’s heart. It’s in Whitaker’s navigation of said polarities that Surprised by Oxford, allows viewers to examine within the film’s emotional resonance-its holiday-esque feel-good rhetoric. The Evangelical considerations that sit snuggly between awe-inspiring autumnal and sno-ladden cityscapes- scenes as intrinsic to the plot’s theme, as the theme itself.
Overall, the film’s aesthetic design graces viewers with the coziest of self-discoveries. Something everyone seeing the film can take away from. That of the familiarity of modern-day agitations with that of familiar and romantic ingenuity and meet-cute scenarios.
All chaptered around to the school’s three annual terms — Michaelmas, Hilary, and Trinity. That which is filmed among the architectural spacing of Oxford’s prestigious surroundings. Everything from pubs, centuries-old classrooms, and period libraries and bookstores. Sharing the true loves of Caro’s life, and the film, the winding streets of Oxford, and young women strolling about, with noses buried in books.
Surprised by Oxford’s classicist style and bibliophile beauty is the sucrose mix of Hogwarts and Hallmark you need in your life this season. This film is one you’ll want to see Suprised by Oxford from the comfort of your own home. Rent or buy today. Buy or rent Surprised by Oxford this November! Having seen this movie several times, I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I have. Friends, be sure to check out the trailer, below.
Overall, this film, with its equal parts heroinism and that of holiday loveliness, is one to get excited over. This is why I’m excited to share that one Theladyprefers2save.com reader will have the awesome opportunity to view the Suprised by Oxford film yourself-United States winners only at this time, please. Plus, entering is as simple as leaving a comment on this post letting me know why you’d most want to see this film this season. Good luck!
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Also, find other film reviews I’m loving this season, here. Now, do you want to see Suprised by Oxford? Leave your thoughts below.
