“Anyone But You” review: A fun but forgettable affair in rom-com territory

In the realm of romantic comedies, certain tropes are so ingrained that you almost expect them, and Will Glucks Everyone but you, co-written by Ilana Wolpert, settles comfortably into familiar territory. Starring Sydney Sweeny and Glen Powell and a supporting ensemble that includes Alexandra Shipp, GaTa, Hadley Robinson, Michelle Hurd, Dermot Mulroney, Darren Barnet and Rachel Griffiths, the film is a classic case of slightly funny mediocrity-on-the-road storytelling in the genre.

Future lawyers Bea (Sweeney) and Ben (Powell)’s first meeting at a coffee shop, including an awkward bathroom encounter, quickly escalates into an evening at his house and ends with her sneaking away. Ben’s friend Pete (GaTa) teases him that he fell in love after the first night, a notion Ben denies as he criticizes Bea, unaware that she has come back to apologize and hear her regrets. Fate brings them back to a club, where they meet Pete’s sister Claudia (Shipp), who is engaged to Bea’s sister Halle (Robinson).

Their first conversations are frosty and to their dismay they discover that they are both on their way to Claudia and Halle’s wedding in Australia. To keep up appearances, Bea and Ben try to hide their mutual interest, but their obvious tension threatens to disrupt the wedding festivities. Desperate to keep the peace, they agree to a truce. As they navigate a series of disastrous adventures, the question arises: Will their escapades come to a bitter end or lead to love?

Everyone but you embodies the typical rom-com formula: a young woman, an older man and a predictable plot with little depth or profound messages. It’s a film that doesn’t strive to break new ground, but instead sits comfortably within the established norms of the genre. While this should satisfy fans looking for a light-hearted romantic comedy experience with no surprises, those looking for innovative narrative explorations in their romantic comedies will likely find this film a mediocre affair.

Sweeney and Powell are disturbingly attractive. However, the film relies heavily on the supporting cast to hold the story together. Without the charm and wit of actors like Dermont Mulroney and GaTa, Sweeny and Powell’s performances, while capable, would fall short of the film’s comedic timing. The chemistry between the protagonists is there, but it has no significant impact. While their interactions are entertaining at times, they fail to ignite the spark that makes memorable romantic comedy pairings. It is a functional relationship at best.

The first interactions between Ben and Bea are less than ideal, as Ben makes unpleasant comments that would normally derail any potential romance. But in typical rom-com fashion, Bea eventually gets around to doing something with Ben. This decision becomes a central point in the film, which questions the dynamics of misunderstandings and fragile egos while gender relations only scratch the surface. It’s a plot that has been explored and abandoned countless times Everyone but you I struggle to give a new perspective on…well…anything!

For viewers like me who went to the cinema with low expectations, Everyone but you had a number of surprising moments that even produced an occasional laugh. The film is fun and engaging enough to pass the time, but is marred by its length. As we approach the two-hour mark, the story begins to drag and is padded out with scenes that serve more as filler than substance, diluting the overall impact of the story.

Everyone but you is a film that is certainly fun to watch, but ultimately forgettable in the broader genre.