Movies based on 'My Oxford Year' fail to deliver a satisfactory cinematic experience
In the recently released Netflix adaptation of "My Oxford Year," several changes have been made from Julia Whelan's original novel, affecting character development, plot, and the depiction of illness and death.
The Netflix adaptation simplifies and strips out some of the deeper elements that explain who the characters are and what their choices mean, reducing the emotional depth present in the book. Notably, the main female character's name is changed from Ella to Anna, and her character is portrayed as having no ambition or passion for her work.
Regarding the plot, a critical divergence is in the ending and the depiction of illness and death. In the book, Ella's love interest, Jamie, survives a complex clinical trial for multiple myeloma and pneumonia, and the story ends on a more hopeful note, emphasizing seizing the moment despite uncertainty. Conversely, the Netflix movie delivers a much more tragic ending where Jamie dies from pneumonia compounded by his cancer, creating a tearjerker feel absent from the book’s more nuanced conclusion.
Jamie's character in the Netflix adaptation is a Ph.D. student who fills in for their actual professor. His character development is less in the Netflix adaptation compared to the book, where he has a secret: he has terminal cancer. This element is not present in the Netflix adaptation.
The Netflix adaptation's writing is criticized for making Ella's character one-dimensional and directionless. The cinematography is criticized for making Oxford look droll, and the soundtrack is criticized for lacking emotional resonance.
Despite these criticisms, the Netflix adaptation is expected to debut in Netflix's Top 10 list due to its fan base and the popularity of its stars, Sofia Carson and Corey Mylchreest.
For those seeking a more emotional love story, the book "My Oxford Year" is suggested as a better choice, as it provides more layered, nuanced characters and a more realistic depiction of illness and death. The book is currently streaming on Netflix.
The Netflix adaptation of "My Oxford Year" seemingly bypasses the environmental and socio-political issues inherent in the prestigious Oxford University setting, focusing more on the romantic aspect, thus offering leaner exploration of the characters and their backgrounds compared to the book.
The mismanagement of Jamie's character in the Netflix adaptation, as he fails to reveal his terminal illness, contrasts the deeper layers present in the book, ultimately diminishing the emotional impact of the story.
