Surprised by Oxford movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Surprised by Oxford movie review

This heady romance is now playing in theaters.

RATING: PG-13

LENGTH: 1 hour 47 minutes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: A-

IN A NUTSHELL:

The idea is lovely but what makes it better is that it’s based on a true story. Carolyn Weber shared her memories in the biographical novel of the same name.

The film was directed by Ryan Whitaker, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Carolyn Weber.

THINGS I LIKED:

The cast includes the handsome couple Rose Reid and Ruairi O’Connor, as well as Phyllis Logan, Lourdes Faberes, Michael Culkin, Mark Williams, Ed Stoppard, and more. Everyone did an outstanding job.
I love that Rose Reid’s character knew she wanted to get a doctoral degree when she was a young girl. I did too! My doctoral degree is in Management and Leadership.
The dialogue is inspirational, entertaining, and extremely insightful.
We get to learn about and visit Oxford University in England. I got to go there a few years ago for the first time. You kind of feel smarter just being there. The movie tells us it’s 400 years older than the United States. I love the UK and have been there many times. Add it to your Travel Bucket List!
We also get to learn a little bit about the Romantic period of English literature a little bit. Hopefully, the movie will inspire you to crack a book and disappear in the beautiful language.
The movie features a book called Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis. Have you ever read it? Another good one I like by him is Mere Christianity.
While the movie addresses faith, it definitely doesn’t feel preachy. It doesn’t feel like a Christian film because it’s much more elevated, intellectual, and classy. While I haven’t read the book, I’ve heard that the conversion of the author played a much bigger role in the story and the romance was just a small part. The reverse is true in this movie.
While I was a student, I took some classes where there were only a handful of other students in it, as portrayed in this film. Needless to say, it’s hard to fall asleep in class in that kind of situation! It was touching to see professors who took genuine care of their students. I currently teach at a university and a local college where I try to do the same. Like the film shows, one good teacher can make all of the difference in a young student’s life.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

We don’t get to see the moment where the leading couple met in a pub. We just suddenly see her drunk and talking nonstop to him. What a missed opportunity.
The quick, mean-spirited banter got annoying quickly.
Have you ever met a guy who would take that much verbal abuse and dismissal from a girl and yet still keep going after her? His persistence seemed so unrealistic.
So many of the characters are pompous and arrogantly impressed with their own genius and self-importance.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Kids will be extremely bored and not understand a lot of the dialogue.
Lots of alcohol and some drunkenness
Talk of chastity and intimate, premarital relations

THEMES:

Truth
Education
Goals and distractions from them that cause us to lose our focus
Religion and faith
Happiness vs. Joy
How to define “an abundant life”
Romance
Chastity
Inspirational literature

INTERESTING LINES:

“Your purpose in life is to discern the real from the bullshixx.” – Dr. Deveaux (Tyler Merritt)
“First time in the UK? What gave it away?” – Caro Drake (Rose Reid) “The stars in your eyes.” – Hannah (Emma Naomi)
“Happiness is too shallow and pleasure is too fleeting.” – Caro Drake (Rose Reid)
“I’m worried you’ll get everything you ever want and be perfectly miserable.” – Hannah (Emma Naomi)
“I believe there’s grace all around us all the time if we could only have the humility to admit that we need it, that we can’t find our way out on our own.” – Provost Regina Knight (Phyllis Logan)
“Telos isn’t just a goal or a destination. It’s the purpose of a thing, what it’s designed to do. For all of our striving and philosophizing, knowledge only gets us so far.” – Caro Drake (Rose Reid)
“Maybe we’re made for longing and we’re restless until we’re ravaged by the truth.” – Caro Drake (Rose Reid)
“The truth is in the paradox.” – Caro Drake (Rose Reid)
“Just when you think the story’s over, there’s room for one more surprise.” – Caro Drake (Rose Reid)