Anyone But You proves that some people are too hot to be in a rom-com

Anyone But You didn't work because Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell are too hot

Glen Powell & Sydney Sweeney as Ben & Bea. Source: Brit + Co

In the hours before I realized I would have a not-very-fun Christmas due to a miserable flu, I took myself for a double feature at our local theater. I knew I wanted to see The Iron Claw, and I decided that I would team that up with the newest from Studio Ghibli, The Boy and the Heron. Sadly, the subtitles on our screening were cut off, so instead, I went to see the new rom-com from Will Gluck, Anyone But You. 

The film is a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, with Benedict and Beatrice being replaced by Ben (Glen Powell) and Bea (Sydney Sweeney). And here’s the thing. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this movie. It does a solid job of retelling a great piece of literature. Both leads are terrific actors, and the supporting cast does a lovely job of bringing color and fun to the main story. It follows all of the traditional rom-com beats (meet cute, don’t like each other, do like each other, conflict, resolution). But it just didn’t work for me.

As I was convalescing, I tried to figure out what it was about the movie that didn’t work for me, and I think I’ve got it.

Sweeney and Powell are too hot for a rom-com.

That sounds super reductive, so I’m going to explain what I mean.