Movie #3277 "Anyone But You" (netflix) Ready for a rom-com that spent time in the theatre this summer? I had heard a lot about it before seeing, mostly because Glen Powell was doing the pitch for it on several shows I had watched. So as soon as it was available for streaming, I watched it to see what the hubbub was all about, and romcoms are my favorite genre. I found it to be a Hallmark-kind of film -- esp. with the ending (which I don't think would have even been acceptable in that realm because it was just too silly and unbelievable). It also had a "meet cute" scene (better than average because it used a juxtaposition approach in presenting it -- dead pan on one side of a bathroom door, silliness and physical antics on the other). Also like Hallmark t it relied on overhearing and assuming the worst (which I cringe every time I see in a hallmark film) --- it used it to break them up in the opening 20 minutes, and then tweaked it, but still used it in SEVERAL scenes. It got to be ridiculous. The couple find themselves in a position that they have to pose as a twosome, and that gimmick is very popular in the Hallmark world -- - they go back and forth with it a couple of times until that is silly, too. Another gimmick used a la hallmark is the stage business of wedding preparation..... dull! But not when they set things on fire! So silliness ensues. So in that way it is worse than a hallmark movie; however, there are two scenes that are very funny -- one I wrote about already --- the meet cute scene,; the other one is when they have hiked to a cliff , and they decide to show they are very much in love so they put on a show for the people behind them, who they think are watching them --- well, that scene is juxtaposed with the cutest koala bear shots I have ever seen. And the people behind the couple think the koala bear is far more interesting than what the couple is doing. The juxtaposition of hysteria, to mildly watching the koala is very funny --- esp. when Glen Powell ends up without his clothes on -- otherwise, as I said, the ending is .....not good. It's ironic but because Hallmark movies are always being made fun of, they tend to really try to stay in the believable world --- this one doesn't, thus a weak ending. As I said Rom Coms are my favorite films, and I found this mildly amusing because of the capable main people (Powell and Sweeney), but I don't think I'd recommend it , except for the two scenes I wrote about above. But two scenes don't make a movie. 3.5 out of 5
"ANYONE BUT YOU" 2023 R 1 hour and 45 mins.
After an amazing first date, Be an and Ben's fiery attraction turns ice-cold , until they find themselves unexpectedly reunited at a wedding in Australia. So they do what any two mature adults would do: pretend to be a couple.
Director: Will Gluck
Writwers: Llana Wolpert, Will Gluck
Actors: Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, Alexandra Shipp
