Surprised by Oxford

This film is based on a true story, and deals with themes like faith, goals, moving on from trials in the past, and how faith and working towards goals can change you. I thought the cast was great and gave good performances, it was a lot of fun seeing Mark Williams (Mr. Weasley in the Harry Potter films). I loved the cinematography, there were lots of great shots of the historic Oxford University. I loved the simplicity of the story, a girl who experienced a traumatic event in her past and struggling to move on, but eventually does so through a friendship that unexpectedly changes her life. Overall, “Surprised by Oxford” is a good, enjoyable, family friendly movie that is thought-provoking and explores spiritually through the unique angle of English literature. It’s well-worth watching!

Yikes! Super pretentious movie filled with unlikable characters. To its credit it took itself so seriously it did make me laugh in parts. Not quite sure why it has such high marks, maybe family and friends? I am sure this could appeal to some people out there, but wouldn't put my friends through this. I will forget about this after tonight.

I started watching this during a football commercial and couldn't quit watching it. I like that it's based on a true story. We all want a happy ending in this life. Keep going, open your eyes to the beauty that is inside of you and beside you, and be open to love.

The spellbinding visual that Angel Studios and Ryan Whitaker provide to the audience is the perfect balance for Carolyn Weber's storytelling of her real life experience. The performance between Rose Reid and Ruairi O'Connor brings so much realism to the characters that it's easy to relate to one of them.

Beautiful, how faith films should feel

I had the privilege of immersing myself in the captivating world of "Surprised by Oxford." Step inside the beauty of Oxford University and embark on a timeless journey that delves into life's profound questions. This biographical drama invites you to accompany Dr. Carolyn Weber as she navigates the complexities of life and faith during her tenure at the prestigious University of Oxford. This review will delve into the film's mesmerizing cinematography, thought-provoking themes, and remarkable portrayal of the beauty inherent in the gospel. Cinematography and Setting: One of the standout aspects of "Surprised by Oxford" is its remarkable cinematography. The film beautifully captures the timeless beauty of Oxford University, with its ancient buildings and picturesque countryside. The use of a subdued color palette and a nearly noir presentation adds depth and seriousness to the profound philosophical musings of the young students. The attention to detail in capturing the ancient wood doors, walls, floors, and beams is commendable and immerses the audience in the historical atmosphere of Oxford. Themes and Exploration of Faith: At its core, "Surprised by Oxford" is a film about faith and the quest for answers to life's big questions. The story revolves around Caro Drake, a brilliant yet emotionally guarded American student, who embarks on a journey of self-discovery and vulnerability through her friendship with a charming young man. The film skillfully avoids being preachy, instead presenting honest communication about the meaning of having complete faith in God. The film touches upon various thought-provoking topics, including the significance of saving oneself for marriage, the contrast between Christian and worldly pleasure, and the merits of religious rituals and virtues. It explores Caro's transformation as she questions her assumptions and prejudices, ultimately reconsidering the merit of Christianity after reading C.S. Lewis' spiritual memoir, "Surprised by Joy." The film strikes a balance between portraying the struggles against worldly desires and showcasing the beauty of the gospel, which offers the joy our souls yearn for. Thoughtful Interpretations: "Surprised by Oxford" presents nuanced perspectives on faith, highlighting the complexity of religious beliefs and their impact on individuals. It challenges stereotypes and encourages viewers to contemplate the differences between worldly pleasure and Christian pleasure. The film's portrayal of characters with diverse religious backgrounds, such as Caro's Catholic mother and Kent's Protestant convictions, adds depth and authenticity to the narrative. "Surprised by Oxford" is a visually stunning and thought-provoking film that takes viewers on an emotional journey of faith, love, and self-discovery. I particularly love how it offers points to ponder on addressing others struggling with faith. It successfully captures the beauty of Oxford University while exploring profound questions about life and spirituality. The film's knack for addressing these themes in a relatable and genuine manner, without resorting to heavy-handed preaching, is commendable. Whether you're after a visually captivating cinematic experience or contemplating the complexities of faith, "Surprised by Oxford" is a film that shouldn't be missed.

Watching Surprised by Oxford reminded me of my English major days. Academic discussion about Romantic period authors such as Donne, Milton, and Shelley delighted my literature-loving heart, but clever narrative ensured viewer understanding for those unfamiliar with these authors. I also enjoyed the visual footage of Oxford University. This old landmark, full of academia, history, and stories untold, created an enchanting setting for Carolyn Weber's faith journey. Her personal development unfolded as the movie explored Caro's struggle to acknowledge that intellect, while wonderful and necessary, does not explain everything. Likable characters surrounded Caro and bits of humor made me smile. The love story was a miss for me, but obviously it worked well for the real-life Webers. Caro's post-grad experience held some grit. There's profanity (no F-bomb), other crude language, and sexual innuendo. While it seemed edgy for a faith-based movie, it's pretty tame compared to college experiences of today. I didn't like the language and innuendo, but it didn't make me turn the movie off. More conservative viewers may want to avoid the movie, while others may not be bothered by this content. Surprised by Oxford is adapted from Carolyn Weber's memoir of the same title, which is now on my wish list. I didn't realize until the end credits that the real Carolyn Weber makes a cameo as a professor discussing C. S. Lewis. Disclaimer of Material Connection: Many thanks to Evolve Studios for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

Surprised by Oxford is an enjoyable movie that is not overly religious. There is no mention of the Bible, no church services, no sermons, no songs. There is no defining moment of Caro's coming to faith in this movie. Her faith grows slowly, conversation by conversation. It's definitely a different approach than the typical faith based movie. I felt like there was more time spent telling the story of Carolyn and Kent's relationship than there was of Caro's relationship with God.

I loved the story of the very smart little girl who had a tragedy in her life. Seems as though she became hardened to life and love as she grew older. It's a story of how she overcame. Something I didn't know is how beautiful Oxford is. Just the tour of the grounds was so interesting. Although this film has a beautiful message, I do have a warning about this film, I don't recommend this for young teenagers. A lot of casual drinking and some hints of casual sex were involved. I'm not sure where God is in the story but maybe he helped her love and trust again.

Surprised by Oxford is the story of Caro Drake and it is based on a true story. The film shows how she obtained her masters at Oxford University in England. She focused on her degrees in Romantic-Era literature, which is iconic since she tried to avoid love. It was interesting to watch her met Kent and how he tried to pursue her and at first, she wanted no part of him or love. There is a mixture of religion in the film. Kent grew up Protestant and believes in waiting for marriage. Caro has her doubts with religion and Christianity. She believes more in knowledge and she struggling with the fear of the unknown. It was compelling to observe how Kent would recommend C.S. Lewis works to her to read and how this allowed a door to open in her life. I also liked how the film showed the beginning of her life and how her father was arrested and this broke her relationship with her father. It covered the majority of her life and I thought they did a wonderful job at linking everything together. There is some cuss words and references to sex but it is rated PG-13 and it wasn't anything overly bad. Watchers will enjoy watching this true story come to life.