My Oxford Year Is A Terrible Film Adaptation

Corey Mylchreest as Jamie and Sofia Carson as Anna in "My Oxford Year."This article contains spoilers for My Oxford Year.I am the type of person who always wants to read the book before I see the movie. So when Netflix first announced that two of the streamer’s most popular small-screen stars, Sofia Carson and Corey Mylchreest, would be starring together in a romance based on Julia Whelan’s novel My Oxford Year, I immediately added the book to my TBR list. The story begins with Ella (played by Sofia) leaving to fulfill a lifelong dream, studying at Oxford. Almost immediately upon arrival, Corey’s character, Jamie – a charming and rakish man – speeds past her in a vintage car, soaking her with water. She tells him off, and, of course, he ends up being the professor for her graduate course on poetry. Then, of course, the pair of enemies quickly become lovers, albeit casual ones. At least, that’s the intention. Ella is supposed to return to the States for her dream job, and Jamie doesn’t want a commitment. In the book, Ella (whose character’s name is Anna in the film), eventually realises that there may be more to Jamie’s commitment phobia than originally thought. He has a secret: He has terminal cancer.Sofia Carson as Anna in My Oxford Year.While the My Oxford Year adaptation follows these elements of the book’s overall story arc, it waters down the rest of the novel, diluting its essence with simplified storylines, unnecessary tropes and an unrealistic depiction of death. Put simply, My Oxford Year, which is now streaming on Netflix, is a terrible adaptation.It’s so bad that it can’t even be saved by Sofia Crson, whom Vanity Fair has declared to be Netflix’s “first bona fide movie star” after her string of successful films for the streamer (Feel the Beat, Purple Hearts, Carry-On and The Life List). The biggest problem is that Sofia has almost zero on-screen chemistry with Corey (save for a moment with kebabs and another in the library). Also, Claire Finlay-Thompson’s overly stuffy styling (think fitted sweaters and office-appropriate skirts) makes Sofia’s character appear far too formal for a Gen-Z graduate student. However, the biggest problem lies in the writing. In the book, Sofia’s character is significantly more complex and interesting – she is more than a stereotypically naïve American embarking on a coming-of-age journey abroad. Ella is a Rhodes Scholar who has been asked to work remotely from Oxford as the education consultant for the political campaign of rising star Janet Wilkes. It’s her dream job. In contrast, in the movie, Anna is set to start a lucrative “Wall Street job”. Her character is devoid of any ambition other than making money. She has no motivation or passion for her work. She has no desire to change the world and advocate for others. This makes her movie counterpart one-dimensional and directionless.The writers do attempt to give her some complexity as a Hispanic young woman navigating a predominantly white and wealthy environment. However, even this attempt falls short because the tension is reduced to a single encounter in a pub in which another student accuses Anna of fulfilling a diversity quota. Because her identity doesn’t come up again, it turns the pub scene into the very thing it’s criticising: an ill-executed grasp at meaningful representation. Also, in the book, Ella is still processing the grief of her dad’s death, and its emotional toll serves as one of the things that forms a deeper and unexpected connection between Ella and Jamie, because he lost his brother. In the movie, Anna’s parents are both still alive. Without this thread, the connection between Anna and Jamie in the movie feels as tenuous as any study-abroad fling instead of the life-changing love story that it is supposed to be. Jamie’s character is also less developed. As a lover of poetry, one of his biggest arcs in the book is the transition from reader to writer. This never occurs in the movie, and his only real arc is figuring out how to navigate his grief-stricken family, a problem that is far too-easily and predictably solved.The one thing Jamie’s character has going for him is that he is being played by Corey who, thankfully, brings the same charm to the character that he brought to young King George in Netflix’s Queen Charlotte even though he isn’t given that much material to work with. Corey Mylchreest as Jamie in My Oxford Year.Similarly, the cast of secondary characters that are supposed to be Anna’s friends are portrayed caricatures instead of people. They are reduced to the stereotype of quirky Brits and never given the chance to become more than the exaggerated expressions and overacted dialogue they deliver (one particularly painful example of this occurs during a surprise party). These developmental shortcomings are exacerbated by the trope-filled plot. There’s the far-too-cliché scene of them dancing with other partners to make each other jealous, a Halloween party in which Anna is one of the only guests in costume, a dash together through the rain, a potential love triangle that fizzles far too quickly because the guy turns out to be a “meathead rower”, karaoke and an arbitrary group singalong. All of these additions are cringey and predictable and detract from the love story that never really gets a chance to be told. However, what is ultimately most egregious is the way that the movie glosses over Jamie’s disease and death. Because the book delves into Ella’s caretaking of Jamie and the limitations his cancer places on their relationship, I wasn’t expecting the movie to miss the mark so badly. But it does.Jamie’s cancer is reduced to a single bag of chemo, and his decline occurs amid an artsy montage of the places they could have traveled together, cementing this movie as just another unrealistic portrayal of illness and death that is too peaceful, too clean, too easy. The unimaginative ending shouldn’t have been surprising because the movie misses every other mark. The cinematography even somehow manages to make Oxford look droll, and the soundtrack is so void of emotional resonance that it feels like it was selected in post-production by AI. Within this era of the adaptation — every popular romance seems to be on its way to the small screen — the quality of My Oxford Year probably won’t matter. The combination of the book’s fan base and the viewers excited to see Sofia and Corey together on-screen almost guarantees that My Oxford Year will debut in Netflix’s Top 10 list. It’s unlikely to matter that the end result is shoddy. However, if you are in want of an emotional love story, I suggest turning off the TV and opening Whelan’s book because, in this case, without a doubt, the book is better.My Oxford Year is streaming on Netflix now. MORE FILM NEWS:This Latest James Bond Announcement Is Exciting News For Peaky Blinders FansLiam Neeson Shares Why He Found Pamela Anderson Naked Gun Sex Scenes 'A Little Strange''I Hate It': Jason Momoa Is Not Happy With The Results As He Shaves Off His Beard For Film Role

Comments

Breaking news

Grandparents Are Getting Older, On Average. Here's Why That Matters.

Huffpost uk

'India are favourites, but England can chase this' - Cook

BBC News

Comments

Breaking news

Grandparents Are Getting Older, On Average. Here's Why That Matters.

Drinking Lots Of Water? It Could Secretly Be Causing This Painful Digestion Issue

Experts Warn This Viral Exercise Challenge Could Be Harmful

British soldiers’ details to be given to kids they allegedly fathered in Kenya

Ex-fighter pilot and 13-year-old son feared killed in Majorca plane crash

Two arrested after student murdered outside flats in centre of Cambridge

Photos of Benin's traditional mask festival as ancient customs come alive

Crackdown on social media ads promoting small boat crossings to the UK

No tsunami threat to Hawaii from 7-magnitude earthquake near Russia’s Kuril Islands, officials say

First volcano eruption in 600 years 'may be linked to huge earthquake in Russia's far east'

Scots cops accused of 'intimidation' against pensioner Palestine activist over t-shirt

SNP Minister says both her parents struggled with alcoholism when she was a child

Inside abandoned Toys R Us shop with eerie empty shelves and checkouts left to rot

'Elderly neighbour leaves parcels on my doorstep and you won't believe what's inside'

Half of Brits want another EU referendum in five years - as Brexit support slumps

Horrified Mallorca tourists watch as plane 'performing stunts' crashes into the sea

'My son died protecting friends at a house party, one image will haunt me forever'

The European country that doesn't exist where a vodka bottle costs less than £1

'I had home from hell after chronic hoarding but 2 things were always spotless'

Suede jacket that ‘goes with so many outfits’ is perfect for transitional autumn outfits

Sam Bailey: ‘I won The X Factor but only really wanted one simple thing'

Strictly star addresses show 'curse' after huge change in marriage

Inside the world's 'biggest city' that most tourists have never heard of

And here are the ones they DIDN'T want you to see! From hellish holiday snaps to bad hair days and secret smokers - all the photos celebs wish could be banished from the Internet

This picture of a goat has a woman hidden in it - so, can you spot her?

Poirot star Sir David Suchet reveals his personal heartache after beloved grandson was born with an incurable and 'extremely rare' genetic disease - and how the family have pulled together to get through

Inside Britain's worst high street: Why shoppers are terrified to visit city centre in Wales

As Kristen Stewart debuts unrecognisable new hairdo, can YOU identify the celebs after their dramatic hair transformations?

Police drama hailed as 'the Scottish Broadchurch' rockets up Netflix charts as fans rave 'it has you second-guessing every clue'

I worked on The Big Breakfast - one presenter hated the chaos on set and there's a simple reason we could NEVER make a show like it now

I'm a hormone expert - this is why some people's sex drive goes through the roof when they take Mounjaro

Behind the scenes of Prince William's Christening that caused Diana agony: The Queen Mother turned 82 on the same day while Charles and Diana clashed

How Meghan Markle refused joint interview with Prince Harry over secret Oprah deal years in the making, royal author claims

ADHD assessor reveals five surprising questions she asks people who think they have the condition

How a teenage kiss at a funfair led to Jack Woodley being kicked and stabbed by a pack of bloodthirsty yobs... and the 'chilling' detail that stunned the court

'India are favourites, but England can chase this' - Cook

Watch: Australians play in snowy winter wonderland

'We dug under our house and found a Nazi bunker'

Tens of thousands turn out for Sydney Pro-Palestine march

Mum's 'brutal' murder still a mystery 20 years on

Part of A11 closed to traffic after crash involving six cars and a lorry

Two thirds of disabled people fear they can’t travel abroad this summer

AI Toys Are Coming Whether We Like It Or Not. Are Parents Ready?

I Just Learned Why People Are Always Hurting My Feelings And It's Surprisingly Simple

Sex And The City Star Kristin Davis Called This Scene 1 Of The Most 'Embarrassing' To Film

Strictly Come Dancing 2025 Line-Up Rumours: Which Stars Are Reported To Be Competing?

Pete Davidson Names The 'Humiliating' Tattoo He Totally Regrets

My Oxford Year Is A Terrible Film Adaptation

'God understands us': Inside a Nigerian church where deaf people find faith and community

Ukraine-Russia latest: Fire at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant contained after explosions

Amazon's number one robot vacuum is 57% off for shoppers doing one simple thing

British tourists urged to check hotel mirrors to avoid a holiday from hell

Paula Radcliffe's terrifying blackouts that left her wheezing for breath as teen

'Family's heart attacks forced me to check-up - what I found is lesson to all'

'I usually avoid full coverage foundations but L'Oreal's new launch has changed my mind'

Optical illusion shows 'witchcraft' as people struggle to spot Pokemon character

Queen's strict royal style rule she swore by but Meghan Markle didn’t follow it

Twisted mum padlocked children in room then killed husband and hid body in morgue

Amy Bradley's cryptic letter to girlfriend 'predicting disappearance' before she vanished

Olivia Attwood says she got ‘so many compliments’ on this £39 pendant necklace