Anyone But You review: Hugely fun romantic comedy
Review Overview
Romance
8Comedy
8David Farnor | On 24, Feb 2024
Director: Will Gluck
Cast: Glen Powell, Sydney Sweeney
Certificate: 15
Since his winning turn in the charming Netflix rom-com Set It Up, it’s only been a question of how long until Glen Powell reaches total worldwide stardom – or, to put it more accurately, how long until all the world is united in its love for Glen Powell. Hot on the heels of his scene-stealing turn in Top Gun: Maverick, Anyone But You is here to give us the answer.
The film, written by Ilana Wolpert and Will Gluck, is loosely inspired by Much Ado About Nothing. We’re reminded of that fact throughout by quotes from the play appearing in the background of scenes and the plot bearing a very loose resemblance to the original. That doesn’t do the script any favours: we’re a long way from 10 Things I Hate About You, West Side Story or even She’s the Man, which took Shakespeare texts and gave them a smart, savvy and shrewdly faithful update.
Anyone But You begins in a coffee shop, where law student Bea (Sydney Sweeney) is desperately asking to use the toilet to no avail, and so Goldman Sachs employee Ben (Glen Powell) pretends they’re married so that he can get the bathroom key for her. “Aren’t you going to ask me out now?” she quips afterwards, and a day and night of talking earnestly and gazing into each other’s eyes ensues. When she panics, and he lies about liking her to his friend, Pete (GaTa), they go from possible soulmates to bitter would-be strangers.
When Bea’s sister, Halle (Hadley Robinson), winds up dating and proposing to Pete’s sister, Claudia (Alexandra Shipp), their paths cross again – and they find themselves stuck together throughout the wedding celebrations. The following exchange of insults is so disruptive that the rest of the wedding party try to trick the duo into getting together.
It’s not the strongest hook for a plot, as it’s almost impossible to believe that the two adults wouldn’t simply talk through their misunderstanding, rather than become so bitter towards each other. It doesn’t help that their initial connection is so convincingly earnest that it’s hard to imagine anything derailing it.
That, however, is also the secret to the film’s success. Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell are so ridiculously charming that you can’t help but want them to repair their romance and hook up. That means you end up rooting for the supporting ensemble’s schemes – and sighing as Ben’s ex, Margaret (Charlee Fraser), and Bea’s ex, Jonathan (Darren Barnet), both re-enter the picture.
Frankly, that’s all a rom-com needs to succeed. The rest of the cast, including a fun Dermot Mulroney as Bea’s eccentric dad, Leo, are likeable, but this is Powell and Sweeney’s show, and their sparky chemistry makes every set piece a joy. Does it matter that they don’t know how to eat cheese toasties? Or that the tone occasionally veers raunchy in a way that’s vaguely inconsistent? Not one jot. Because Sweeney makes Bea’s search for direction sympathetic and Powell smirks his way through finance bro arrogance with just enough vulnerability to make him sweet – a gag about him being “hot girl fit” is particularly inspired.
And so we cheer for them as their will-they-won’t-they banter escalates, laugh as they navigate convoluted set pieces and swoon as they swap heartfelt confessions in the middle of Sydney Harbour. They’re a screen couple made for romantic comedies and together they deliver both in spades. With the runtime clocking in at a tight 95 minutes (almost the same length as director Will Gluck’s similarly hilarious Easy A), the result is an ideal date movie. The golden age of Glen Powell is officially here.