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Surprised by Oxford

"One choice can change everything."

Brilliant but emotionally-guarded Caro Drake arrives in Oxford with the singular goal of attaining her PhD, but through a turbulent friendship with a charming young man she starts to open herself up to mystery, vulnerability, and love.

Top Cast

  • Rose Reid

    Rose Reid

    Caro Drake

  • Ruairí O'Connor

    Ruairí O'Connor

    Kent Weber

  • Simon Callow

    Simon Callow

    Dr. Sterling

  • Phyllis Logan

    Phyllis Logan

    Provost Regina Knight

  • Mark Williams

    Mark Williams

    Professor Nuttham

  • Ed Stoppard

    Ed Stoppard

    Dr. Condorston

  • Olisa Odele

    Olisa Odele

    Fred

  • Lourdes Faberes

    Lourdes Faberes

    Professor Rutledge

  • Michael Culkin

    Michael Culkin

    Professor McTeague

Overview

Brilliant but emotionally-guarded Caro Drake arrives in Oxford with the singular goal of attaining her PhD, but through a turbulent friendship with a charming young man she starts to open herself up to mystery, vulnerability, and love.

Rating

6.1 / 10
32 Reviews
1 Popular

1 Reviews

  • CinemaSerf
    CinemaSerf
    7 Oct 19, 2023

    Caro Drake (Rose Reid) is a typically dedicated student who arrives at Oxford University, on a scholarship, determined to succeed, make her family proud and leave with her PhD. She's naturally quite shy and reserved but is no shrinking violet - useful, as her charismatic neighbour is Edward (Louis Landau) - and he's a bit of a Lothario. Caro does make a few friends and finds, largely despite herself, that she is drawn to the charmingly enigmatic "Kent" (Ruairi O'Connor). He is an interesting character who lives his life according to some strong Christian tenets that seem intent on ensuring that their relationship cannot really develop further. What now ensues is the beginnings of a love story set against the beautiful colleges of Oxford. There are a useful series of scenes featuring the college dean (Phyllis Logan) that help us to put some meat on the bones of this initially rather shallow individual; Simon Callow pops up to instigate some serious theoretical debate and Mark Williams proves to be the honest, inspiring - and quite sarcastic - lecturer that well needed at this stage in our educational lives. There's actually quite a decent degree of on-screen chemistry between Reid and O'Connor and though it does border on the introspective now and again, is quite an engaging observation of a true story of two people finding each other, their priorities and making their way in life. Not what I was expecting, and worth a watch. PS: there is a Q&A around which I'd strongly suggest you avoid til after the film!

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