Breaking Down the Emotional Ending of Netflix’s My Oxford Year

by

Is there anything more enchanting than a U.S. citizen embarking on a transformative journey to the United Kingdom, as portrayed in the Netflix romance movie “My Oxford Year“? Starring Sofia Carson and inspired by Julia Whelan’s novel, this film tells the story of Anna, who has built a promising future for herself. After earning her degree from Cornell University and securing a job as a financial analyst at Goldman Sachs, she manages to take a year off before starting work, instead choosing to pursue her love for poetry at Oxford University. There, she encounters Jamie (Corey Mylchreest), who teaches her poetry class. Despite their friendship getting off to a rocky start when Jamie accidentally splashes water on her, they soon embark on a romance that will irrevocably alter the course of both their lives.

This is how My Oxford Year ends.

In the final fortnight of her studies at Oxford, Anna faces a significant choice: either going back to her promising career in America or continuing with Jamie in Oxford, despite the risks. Anna elects to stay and contacts Goldman Sachs to inform them that she’ll be declining their job offer. Her mother is taken aback but understanding, expressing that they are prepared to back Anna in whatever life choices she makes.

Despite Jamie’s concerns, his decision has left Anna deeply saddened. It isn’t due to any reluctance on his part about being with her, but rather because he acknowledges that their relationship may not have a long future. This understanding stems from Jamie’s secret battle with an aggressive, incurable form of cancer, the same disease that took his brother’s life. Initially, Jamie hid this truth from Anna, leading her to suspect infidelity when she unexpectedly visited his home. However, upon discovering Jamie was undergoing chemotherapy, she was shocked and saddened.

Jamie worried about holding Anna back or burdening her with the harsh reality of caring for a terminally ill person. But Anna’s love for Jamie is unwavering, and she wishes to stand by him until the end, despite his pleas for her to return to America and start anew.

Anna isn’t one to be easily dissuaded. She catches Jamie off guard in a hidden library at Oxford, where their relationship first flourished, by declaring her intention to stay put. “Anna, I want this strongly, but it seems reckless, and I worry you’ll come to regret it,” Jamie cautions. But Anna is resolute: “I believe one should never regret the actions they take,” she replies, effectively settling the matter. And so, Anna remains in Oxford with Jamie.

That night, they shared the same bed. However, when Anna awoke the next morning, she discovered Jamie was unresponsive. At the hospital, Anna stayed by Jamie’s side along with his parents. The doctor delivered grim news: Jamie was critically ill with pneumonia, as his chemotherapy had severely compromised his immune system. The physician proposed additional treatments, but Jamie’s father objected, honoring Jamie’s wish to avoid further suffering and prolonging his life. This marked a significant shift in their relationship; earlier, tensions had arisen due to Jamie’s father’s insistence on doing everything feasible to save Jamie’s brother Eddie, despite all attempts proving futile. The scene was both poignant and heart-wrenching as Jamie’s father reluctantly accepted the inevitable loss of his other son.

Afterward, Anna and Jamie find themselves snuggled up in bed together. Jamie suggests, “Since you’ve decided to stay, there’s ample time for your long-desired tour.” Anna agrees, “We should embark on this journey together.” A hint of sadness laces her words—she’s aware that their dream of traversing the grandeur of Europe may never come true. Anna muses aloud about their potential destinations: a clandestine chapel in Amsterdam’s red light district, late-night drinks along the Seine in Paris, days and nights on a gondola in Venice, and swimming at the Temple of Poseidon in Greece. “We would seize every moment, savoring life in its entirety,” she says wistfully.

In Anna’s account, a series of scenes unfold showcasing their extraordinary trip across Europe, filled with delightful moments they shared. They passionately kiss by the seashore, but as the scene rotates around them, Jamie vanishes, leaving Anna solitary on the beach. This moment, though understated, carries significant weight – Jamie has passed away, and the water symbolism reminds us of their first encounter. The novel, “My Oxford Year,” chooses not to delve into Jamie’s torment, allowing him a tranquil departure that he desired. A fleeting image implies that Jamie might have died in Anna’s arms while they were together in bed, but it leaves room for interpretation. Remarkably, the narrative focuses more on how Jamie lived and the profound impact he had on Anna’s life, rather than dwelling on the circumstances of his death.

In another sequence of scenes, My Oxford Year portrays Anna embarking on the journey they both dreamt of sharing. Alone, she experiences all the activities they had planned, unveiling a world long yearned to be discovered with Jamie. This poignant scene underscores how Jamie influenced Anna, empowering her to let go of apprehensions about the future and instead live fully present. The film subtly showcases Anna’s evolution, such as when she abandons the structured approach of her Oxford year in favor of spontaneity. However, this trip serves as a testament to the profound transformation Anna has undergone.

At the closing moment, we find ourselves back in the classroom, where Anna invested a significant portion of her Master’s degree year. With a fresh group of students now present, the door swings open to unveil Anna, who is now instructing the same course that she had studied under Jamie’s guidance previously. Having abandoned her role at Goldman Sachs, Anna has embraced her ardor for poetry, the very motivation behind her journey to Oxford. Addressing her students, she expresses, “Poetry isn’t merely something to be taught; it’s an experience that should permeate your life.” She inspires them to open themselves up to its influence and let it reshape their existence.

Before our lesson kicks off, I like to share a little surprise with my students – a tasteful incentive to ignite their passion for poetry. Just like Jamie did, I unveil a scrumptious Victoria Sponge cake, maintaining the tradition while making it uniquely mine.

Read More

2025-08-01 17:06