Anyone But You - Review

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

TAKEN at face value, Anyone But You should have been one of the better romantic comedies of recent times, given its talented and attractive leads, gorgeous locations and the fact that it's based upon William Shakespeare's fun but frivolous Much Ado About Nothing.

But while certainly easy on the eye, Will Gluck's film is also a little too easy on the brain; lazily so. And it doesn't feel even remotely real.

The story focuses on uncertain lawyer Bea (Sydney Sweeney) and heartbroken businessman Ben (Glen Powell) as they meet each other at a coffee shop, enjoy a fabulous day and night together and then - by virtue of a couple of misunderstandings - end up being let down by one another.

Months later, and now clearly at odds with each other, the couple become reunited at the lesbian wedding of Bea's sister to one of Ben's childhood friends, for which they have to travel to Australia and stay in the same venue.

When it becomes clear that the pair's bickering may threaten the wedding itself, the other guests contrive to prevent this from happening by bringing back various exes - but Bea and Ben take it upon themselves to play their own game of distraction, by pretending to have fallen for each other and invariably doing so.

To be fair, the fact that Anyone But You openly takes its inspiration from Shakespeare means that the will they/won't they element of proceedings is never really in doubt.

But while that isn't a problem in itself, Ilana Wolpert's script doesn't really offer much to compensate by virtue of some characterisations that are as flimsy as Sweeney's many bikinis. Simply put, it's difficult to care.

Both Powell and Sweeney lack the everyman qualities that make the best rom-com leads so endearing, whether that be the aloof and/or awkward charm of a young Hugh Grant or Colin Firth, or the sexy but sweet vulnerability of a Sandra Bullock or Julia Roberts (when they were starting out). These two are more picture-perfect in their appearance (perfect physique, glamour clothing), while the film's reliance on slapstick comedy and embarrassing spectacle fails to make them endearing in the right kind of way.

But then the look of the film also has a lot to answer for. The Australian backdrop, while undoubtedly stunning when using natural locations, is also shot through with what can only be described as wealth porn, meaning that this is a celebration of the super-rich that makes for somewhat detached viewing.

Hence, there's a disconnect that exists between the characters and the audience, which also renders some of their actions tone deaf and privileged - a late conceit involving the Australian Coast Guard particularly grates.

It's a shame because Gluck has previously proven himself a great filmmaker with the early likes of Easy A and Friends With Benefits, while Powell and Sweeney are both talented leads - think Hit Man for him and Reality for her (as well as Top Gun: Maverick and Euphoria).

But all are wasted here, along with the likes of supporting members such as Dermot Mulroney and Bryan Brown.

Anyone But You is vacuous viewing. It's never so bad as to be unwatchable, but given the talent involved it could have been so much more. It's a crass take on Much Ado that feels too polished and contrived to really engage emotionally.