“My Oxford Year” is Netflix’s latest film adaptation based on the bestselling novel by Julia Whelan. This romantic but bittersweet film is set in the historic halls of Oxford University.

The story follows Anna De La Vega, played by Sofia Carson, an ambitious American student who defers her job offer on Wall Street to study Victorian poetry for one year at Oxford. Her plans take an unexpected turn when she falls for her professor, Jamie Davenport, played by Corey Mylchreest. 

De La Vega has always dreamt of studying literature at Oxford and has carefully mapped out her one-year study plan, followed by a return to the U.S. to start her new job. 

Upon her arrival, she was thoroughly convinced her time there would go exactly as intended; however, the quick-witted Davenport disrupted her meticulously curated first day by ruining her shirt. 

Surprisingly, Davenport ends up being her poetry professor, further complicating De La Vega’s plans. Despite that, their shared love for poetry draws them closer, leading to an intense romance. Their relationship makes De La Vega rethink her life choices, and when she discovers an unexpected truth about Davenport, she is forced to question not only her future, but also what truly matters to her.

The movie effortlessly captures Oxford’s beauty by using its historic buildings and grand libraries, creating a visually pleasing backdrop. 

The setting seamlessly mirrors De La Vega and Davenport’s romance, whether they are reading poetry in the library or walking through the halls. There is also a rich presence of literature felt throughout the film that adds to the charm and depth of the story. When put together, the beautiful shots make this film enchanting.

Although the movie had a strong beginning and ending, the middle was not particularly captivating. 

The development of their connection was rushed — what started as a casual relationship suddenly turned into a full-blown romance. This caused the film to lack yearning and depth between the two characters. 

The leads did not have much chemistry between them. While Mylchreest delivered a solid performance throughout, Carson’s acting came across as much too sophisticated in comparison. 

The writing wasn’t very compelling, which made it difficult to stay invested. 

The supporting cast performed well and added authenticity to the film. 

While the movie may appeal to viewers interested in a love story set against a backdrop of academia, it ultimately fails to deliver an engaging experience and is difficult to recommend, despite the stunning visuals present in Oxford.