Surprised by Oxford 2023 Magnet
44/27
Based on a true story, this film had its world premiere at the Heartland International Film Festival in Indianapolis, IN, before a sold-out crowd on Saturday, October 8, 2022
The brilliant but emotionally reserved Caro Drake arrives at Oxford with the sole purpose of earning her doctorate, but through a turbulent friendship with a charming young man she begins to open up to mystery, vulnerability and love.
Christmas Eve in My Hometown Written by Stanley William Zabka and Donald Upton Starring Eddie Fisher (1951 recording)
Carolyn Weber, author of the book on which the film is based, was in attendance, along with actress Rose Reid, who played Caro Drake in the film, and other members of the production.
This film keeps touching on some pretty powerful possibilities, but then presents them in such a suggestive way that the sudden outbursts of emotion or references to strong feelings and dilemmas come a little out of nowhere
The protagonist is a pretty unique person and has a strong backstory, but her interactions with her love interest oscillate between predictable and unmotivated, and what is ostensibly meant to be a spiritual crisis feels more amateurish than deep exploration.
Really, the best part of the film is the glimpses of Oxford and the excellent older British character actors who play the professors
It doesn’t matter that her main crisis here doesn’t make any particular sense given the unmoored quality of both her romantic and spiritual pursuits.
