Finally, My Oxford Year is on Netflix! I couldn’t wait for my day off to watch this romantic comedy. Well… I was very wrong about it. Yes, for the movie’s first hour, it looked like a rom-com, but then it slowly started shattering my heart. Why? You’re about to find out.
My Honest Review of My Oxford Year?
It was a chill Sunday evening, and I remembered that My Oxford Year had just come out. So, I thought, why not? For the next hour and a half, I tried to fix my MiBox so I could use my Netflix, but it was too laggy. It should’ve been a sign! However, I didn’t give up. Instead, I connected my laptop to the TV and finally pressed play.
The beginning was amazing. A lovely family celebrating their daughter’s (granddaughter’s) year in Oxford. They had it all planned: come back from Oxford and get a job at Goldman Sachs. “Did you know that Oxford graduates earn 25% more than other graduates?” (Now more than ever, I wish I’d gone to Oxford too.).
Anyways, she then proceeds to travel and, of course, gets immediately splashed by a car, because what’s a comedy movie without some funny-clumsy situations at the very start? You know how the story goes from then, she meets a man who had previously splashed her, things get verbal (but flirty as well), and then she finds out that he will be her substitute teacher! Such a rom-com, right?
WELL, IT’S NOT! – comparing My Oxford Year with Me Before You should’ve been a warning!
After they admit that they like each other, and he sings Yellow by Coldplay to her, things start going downhill. If you’ve seen movies like The Fault in Our Stars, A Walk to Remember, or Me Before You, then you can easily guess what happens next. If not, I won’t spoil it (all the way) for you as it’s still a new release.
My Oxford Year – My rating
All things considered, it’s a beautiful and heartbreaking love story. It really teaches you how to value little moments in your life and reminds you that we won’t be here forever. I graduated in language and literature, so I can’t help but smile when there are movies appreciating prose and poetry. When it comes to acting, I would say that Jacob Elordi (Jamie) did a better job than Anna Sawai (Ella). Not saying that her acting is bad, but it just feels like she plays every character in the same way. While Jacob really made me forget that he was King George in the Queen Charlotte TV series (I guess the characters he plays are allergic to long-term happiness).
The ending of My Oxford Year was expected but beautiful, and I really enjoyed it, even though it mentally destroyed me for the next few hours.
I really enjoyed how the movie stayed loyal to the heart of the book. It kept the Oxford setting, the emotional depth of Ella and Jamie’s relationship, and the central themes of love, ambition, and loss. These elements are the core of the story, and changing them would’ve taken away its impact. Even with a few differences, the film honored the spirit of the original beautifully.
I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars because some parts of the acting felt flat, and a few emotional scenes lacked the depth they needed to really hit home.
What started as a romantic comedy ended up being the most heartbreaking horror movie I’ve ever seen. Yes, it’s a horror movie if you ask my eyes, which still haven’t recovered from all the crying they’ve endured.
So, what makes it so sad? (spoilers)
My Oxford Year touches on a deep, universal truth that life can turn 180° in an instant. The story reminds us how fragile our plans and dreams really are. Ella chooses Jamie even though she knows their time together will be limited. She embraces the joy and pain of their relationship fully, accepting the heartbreak that will come.
The movie explores how loss shapes us and how we struggle to hold on while also learning to let go. Ella’s journey shows that love doesn’t always come with happy endings, but it still matters deeply. And if you truly love someone, there’s nothing you wouldn’t endure for them. The sadness comes not only from Jamie’s illness but from the raw reality of confronting mortality and the emotions tied to it. Watching Ella navigate these moments forces us to reflect on our own fears and hopes about life’s unpredictability.
By focusing on love despite the odds, the film captures a bittersweet beauty. It reminds us that sometimes the most meaningful connections are the ones we know won’t last forever, and that choosing to love anyway makes life richer, even when it hurts.
The Quotes That Will Change Your View Of Life
Thank you for meeting me here, at the end of this blog post. Before we go our separate ways, I wanted to share some quotes that I found really beautiful. Enjoy!
“Oxford taught me more than books — it taught me about life and loss.”
“I want to live a life that matters, not just one that looks good on paper.”
“Sometimes love means staying even when it hurts.”
“Oxford isn’t just a place, it’s a chance to become who you’re meant to be.”
“You don’t get to choose how long, only how well.”
“I fell for him even knowing the risks – because some things are worth the pain.”
“It’s not about the future we planned, but the moments we share.”
“Life is fragile, but that’s what makes it beautiful.”
“Grief and hope live side by side.”
“Sometimes the hardest part is saying goodbye.”
My brother suggested I might like this blog. He was entirely right. This post truly made my day. You cann’t imagine just how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!