Surprised By Oxford Review: A Tale of Intellect, Romance, and Faith Unveiled

Release date	September 27, 2023
Cast	Phyllis Logan, Rose Reid, Simon Callow, Mark Williams, Jordan Alexandra, Nicholas Aaron, Ed Stoppard, Ruairi O'Connor, Tim Matthews, Lourdes Faberes, Teck, Michael Culkin, Emma Naomi, Anabelle Holloway, Tyler Merritt, Nila Aalia, Dean Shortland, George Jaques
Director	Ryan Whitaker
Producer	Ken Carpenter, Jen Lewis
Genre	Drama, Mystery, Romance
IMDb rating	6.5/10

Overview of “Surprised By Oxford “

"Surprised by Oxford," the movie based on Carolyn Weber's memoir, tells a story at the famous University of Oxford. Caro, played wonderfully by Rose Reid, is a smart student with a sharp mind. At first, she was interested in studying romantic poets from the late 18th to the mid-19th century. Caro's analytical and very rational way of dealing with feelings and deep thoughts is quite different from the poets she's studying.

The film starts in the lovely Oxford. The movie shows how pretty the city is. It features important places like the Bodleian Library and the Sheldonian Theatre. Oxford kind of feels like a character in the story. The pictures aren't just in the background. They are really important in telling the story of love and searching for the truth.

Caro, the main character. Feels sad because her much-loved father left her. She struggles with a strong feeling of wanting something and not liking things that aren't proven. The movie follows her thinking a lot, like when she reads Lewis' book. Also talks about big ideas like faith, reason, and wanting to know more.

The other actors, like Phyllis Logan, make the story more interesting, but some characters don't get enough attention. Especially Kent, also called TDH, challenges what Caro thinks, mixing love and theology. They talk in a way that's not too techy or too much like a lesson.

A Focus on Beauty, Storytelling, and Performance

The movie stands out by avoiding typical faith-based film traps. It looks good, tells a smart story, and has good acting, without pushing too much on faith. Caro and Kent's connection feels real. It also adds a touch of romance that fits well with the religious parts of the story.

Oxford is like a character in the movie, making it feel romantic. The story is short but some missing parts. Also, a sudden ending might leave you wanting more.

The movie is about faith but doesn't ignore non-believers. The story flows naturally. Talking about God without pushing too hard. It finds a good balance, pleasing both Christians and those looking for answers. It's a good addition to this type of movie. 

"Surprised by Oxford" goes beyond its type, showing what being human is about. It understands that truth and beauty are connected, and Caro learns something beyond just facts. The movie really looks at how faith, romance, and wanting to know more come together. It gives you a lot to think about and looks really nice.