ANYONE BUT YOU (2023) review

written by: Ilana Wolpert and Will Gluck
produced by: Will Gluck, Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum
directed by: Will Gluck
rated: R (for language throughout, sexual content and brief graphic nudity)
runtime: 103 min.
U.S. release date: December 22, 2023

I had more fun than I expected to watching “Anyone But You”, a rom-com I really wasn’t expecting to work based on poor word-of-mouth and, well, the fact that not many modern-day movies of this genre do it for me. But, there I was laughing-out-loud next to my teenage daughter, whom I had to accompany to this absurd and silly R-rated romp. It’s the kind of movie that knows how gorgeous its two leads are and is confident in blatantly showcasing this fact throughout in either revealing moments or situational gag humor. Once I acknowledged and was on board with what director Will Gluck (who co-wrote the screenplay with Ilana Wolpert) was doing, I sat back and got a kick out of it, which is a rare theatrical experience for me when it comes to comedy.

After a meet-cute involving a bathroom emergency at a coffee shop, financial bro, Ben (Glen Powell), and law intern, Bea (Sydney Sweeney), are immediately attracted to each other, returning to Ben’s place for a night of sexy grilled cheese and sleeping next to each other. (FYI: the grilled cheese sandwiches here are not as sexy as the one Jon Favreau made back in 2014’s “Chef”). The next morning, Bea manages to overhear Ben crudely downplay the one-night stand to his friend, Pete (GaTa), as she was sneaking out. She’s understandably hurt and we get the idea he’s not being truthful.

Six months later, Pete’s sister, Claudia (Alexandra Shipp), is engaged to Halle (Hadley Robinson), who is actually Bea’s older sister. An unexpected reunion occurs at a local bar where all five gather, which is a salty surprise for Ben and Bea. He gives her a hard time for apparently ghosting him, while she disses him for being a nihilistic f-boy, and it kicks off the contentious dynamic between the two characters that we’ll witness throughout most of the movie.

Their reunion only increases when they’re both invited to Claudia and Halle’s destination wedding in Australia. This will produce many situations wherein Ben and Bea won’t be able to ignore each other, as well as moments that play out purely to continue checking off situational and physical comedy requirements of the genre. They wind up on the same flight to Sydney, where they trade smug sarcastic quips that disguise plain old flirting. Upon their arrival, they are greeted by Claudia and Pete’s parents, Carol (Michelle Hurd) and Roger (Bryan Brown), as well as
Halle and Bea’s parents, Leo (Dermot Mulroney) and Innie (Rachel Griffiths), all of whom can sense the tension between Ben and Bea and therefore come up with a plan.

In an attempt to mitigate their warring banter from ruining the vibe of the wedding weekend, Pete, the engaged couple and their parents, all agree to get them to fall for each other. Their tactic becomes obvious to Ben and Bea, and they then decide to play this up and make it seem like they actually are hooking up. Add to the mix the unexpected presence of Ben’s ex, Margaret (Charlee Fraser), a native Aussie, and Bea’s ex-fiance, Jonathan (Darren Barnett) and “friend of the family” (invited by her parents, hoping their love would rekindle), and it all results in Ben and Bea’s own plans gradually backfiring, as they develop a better understanding of themselves and each other.

“Anyone But You” isn’t out to offer any depth when it comes to dating or relationships, remaining on a light surface level while offering cheesy anecdotes on love. There is fun to be found in that. While it may not be for every viewer, a certain purposeful calibration will result in entertainment. Based on critical response to the movie (so far), there doesn’t seem to be any middle ground though. Not every movie is for everyone, but comedy especially can be the most subjective of all genres.

Still, Powell and Sweeney are game for the Three’s Company-style shenanigans and have palpable chemistry together. In fact, the two actors are at their best when they’re together, whether they’re characters trading barbs or genuinely coming to a better understanding of one another. Much of their comedic moments together involve getting into various stages of undress or getting soaking wet, showcasing broad comedy At times, the movie earns its R-rated status (apart from language), by incorporating scenes of nudity, but it’s often in some unexpected ways.

Gluck isn’t out to solely appease the male gaze (although Sweeney’s cleavage might disagree) and works with cinematographer Danny Ruhlmann to show more of Powell’s sculpted bod than Sweeney’s curves, and steering clear of full frontal moments from either actor. One particular sudden and hilarious nude scene comes from Margaret’s surfer dude boyfriend, Beau (Joe Davidson, in full himbo mode), while taking a outdoor shower in his birthday suit, next to an uncomfortable Ben. Also unexpectedly funny is the specific use of Natasha Bedingfield’s 2004 hit, “Unwritten” (which was also used this past summer in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem”). Overall, Powell and Sweeney are on board with what Gluck is doing and the two lean into their respective physiques for both sex appeal and comedy value.

I’ve enjoyed Will Gluck’s work since the teen comedy “Easy A”, which was served as a breakout lead part for Emma Stone. That movie was a modern retelling of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter and here Gluck and Ilana Wolpert are keeping Shakespeare alive with a loose update of Much Ado About Nothing. There are definite cues throughout the movie (one quite obvious toward the end) of the source material and it’s awareness adds a fun layer to the whole endeavor.

For the most part, the supporting cast in “Anyone But You” are a welcome presence. Usually, parents are depicted as being a bit much in rom-coms that revolve around a wedding, but each veteran actor here has fun with the material. They come across as being very comfortable in their roles, portraying characters who are well-suited to offer support or wisdom and even accentuate the hilarity.

“Anyone But You” closes with a cliff-jumper and a helicopter ride to the Sydney Opera House, fully embracing the break-up-to-make-up ending that’s a standard rom-com trope. There’s no trace of high art here, nor can we get too worked up over any drama that comes from these absurdly wealthy and beautiful characters who are surrounded by luxury in gorgeous locales. At least the movie goes out of its way to show two lead characters eventually finding ways to be honest with each other, whether or not they wind up together.

RATING: ***