Can a modern romantic comedy become the highest-grossing Shakespeare adaptation of all time?
In short: The 2023 film Anyone but You surprised the industry by becoming a sleeper hit, grossing $220 million worldwide. Loosely inspired by Much Ado About Nothing, the movie revitalized the theatrical romantic comedy genre, proving that star power and a catchy soundtrack can still draw massive crowds to the cinema.
Directed by Will Gluck and starring Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell, the film follows two individuals who share an initial spark, only to be separated by a misunderstanding. They later reunite at a destination wedding in Sydney, Australia, where they decide to fake a relationship to appease their families and make their respective ex-partners jealous. The narrative leans heavily on classic tropes, utilizing the backdrop of the Sydney Opera House and other iconic locations to frame their evolving dynamic.
The production process was not without its challenges. During filming in New South Wales, the cast and crew faced technical difficulties with a rescue helicopter and even a real spider bite sustained by Sweeney. Despite these hurdles, the film achieved significant commercial success. Deadline Hollywood estimated the project's net profit at $103 million, a figure bolstered by its strong international performance, which accounted for over $131 million of its total global intake.
Critical reception remained divided. While some reviewers praised the charisma of the leads and the film's function as lighthearted escapism, others criticized the script as pedestrian and lacking genuine chemistry. Nevertheless, the film's cultural footprint was notable, particularly due to the prominent inclusion of Natasha Bedingfield's song Unwritten. By 2024, it secured its status as the most successful live-action adaptation of a Shakespeare play, highlighting a disconnect between critical appraisal and audience demand for traditional romantic entertainment.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Anyone but You
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