Anyone But You Review (2023)
Director: Will Gluck
Screenwriters: Ilana Wolpert, Will Gluck
Starring: Sydney Sweeney, Glenn Powell, Alexandra Shipp, GaTa, Hadley Robinson, Michelle Hurd, Dermot Mulroney, Darren Barnet, Rachel Griffiths, Bryan Brown
Sydney Sweeney and Glenn Powell generate effortless chemistry in Anyone But You, a romantic comedy that is both uproarious and genuinely charming. In an era when big-budget franchises dominate box offices, this mid-budget, slightly racy rom-com feels like a welcome return to a lighter, more human brand of filmmaking—one that leans into the timeless pleasure of falling in love on screen.
Anyone But You is a loose contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. Rather than a strict retelling, the film borrows the play’s central ideas—miscommunication, jealousy, and the comic complications of romantic deception—and updates them for modern audiences. The movie recognizes its rom-com lineage and references the conventions of the genre without becoming a satire; instead, it embraces those tropes and reminds viewers why they still work.
The story begins when Bea (Sydney Sweeney), a law student at Boston University, meets Ben (Glenn Powell), a finance professional, in a coffee shop. An awkward restroom incident leads to a night of intimate conversation: Bea and Ben open up to each other in ways they typically don’t, revealing personal doubts and vulnerabilities, and they fall asleep in each other’s arms. In the morning, Bea panics and leaves without waking Ben. When she returns, she overhears Ben telling a friend how relieved he is that she’s gone. Hurt and embarrassed, both walk away with grudges that linger for months.
Six months later their paths cross again. Bea has left law school and ended her engagement; Ben has continued his life in finance. The two find themselves tethered together when Bea’s sister becomes engaged to the sister of Ben’s friend, and the wedding takes place in Sydney, Australia. Bea and Ben must share a house for the duration of the trip, and a series of comic misadventures and emotional reckonings follows.
Director Will Gluck and co-writer Ilana Wolpert deliver a script that balances large, laugh-out-loud set pieces with quieter, more sincere moments. The screenplay occasionally runs thin—some supporting characters and subplot threads could use more development—but the film’s heart lies in the lead couple. Sweeney brings unexpected comedic agility to the role, showcasing timing and physical comedy alongside an emotional center that grounds the film. Powell complements her with a charismatic, slightly roguish presence; together they generate the sparks that carry the story.
Several sequences highlight the film’s tonal range. Broad, absurd comedy—like a moment in which a spider triggers a chaotic and surprisingly nude reaction—sits comfortably beside scenes of genuine tenderness, such as when Bea tries to comfort Ben with a song he associates with calm. These shifts in tone rarely feel jarring because the performances remain anchored in human truth.
While the movie’s primary conflict is built on miscommunication and wounded pride—elements straight out of Shakespeare—the modern version shifts the emotional stakes inward. The true obstacles to Bea and Ben’s relationship are their personal insecurities, self-doubt, and fears, rather than external rivals. That choice gives the film a relatable emotional logic, though it does mean that some secondary relationships are underexplored and feel incidental rather than consequential.
The supporting cast includes scene-stealing turns. Rapper-actor GaTa provides standout comic relief as Ben’s friend Pete, and his chemistry with veteran actor Bryan Brown adds unexpected depth to the ensemble. Dermot Mulroney, cast as Bea’s father, offers a small but resonant cameo that feels like a deliberate nod to classic romantic comedies of earlier decades.
Anyone But You pays affectionate tribute to rom-com touchstones while still carving out its own identity. It won’t revolutionize the genre, but it proves that a well-cast, well-paced romantic comedy can still entertain and move an audience. The film’s biggest strength is its leads: Sweeney and Powell make the central relationship believable and delightful, inviting viewers to invest in both the laughter and the hurt that comes with falling in love.
The movie is not without flaws—some characters could use richer backstories and a few plot beats stretch plausibility—but its energy, comic invention, and emotional sincerity add up to a pleasurable cinematic experience. Anyone But You is a reminder that, when a rom-com gets the chemistry and comic timing right, it can still feel fresh.
Score: 20/24
Rating: 4 out of 5.
