The Idea Of You REVIEW: Anne Hathaway & Nicholas Galitzine’s unconventional love story is unabashedly age-defying

Film:
The Idea Of You

Director: Michael Showalter

Cast: Anne Hathaway, Nicholas Galitzine

Runtime: 116 minutes (1 hour, 56 minutes)

Platform: Amazon Prime Video

The Idea Of You Review

The Idea Of You is premium-grade fanfic that narrates the unexpected love story of a beautiful 40-year-old art gallerist Solène (Anne Hathaway) and a 24-year-old pop star Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine). The rom-com – filled with earth-shattering sex, also talks about the brutal judgment and online trolling the mother of a teen faces for being in a relationship with the free-spirited, drug-binging musician.

An adaptation of Robinne Lee’s book of the same name, the Michael Showalter directorial is bold and unabashedly age-defying. It is a silent slap directed at those who judge a middle-aged woman for what she can or cannot do once she’s no longer in her prime age. But is the love affair between a single mother and the lead singer of a popular boy band worth a watch? Read our The Idea Of You review to know the answer.

What Works

Frankly, the best thing about the film is seeing Anne Hathaway play a 40-year-old and romance a 24-year-old pop star. Given that The Princess Diaries actress doesn’t seem to be ageing at all, this role seems to be written just for her. Her chemistry with Nicholas Galitzine is organic and refreshing too.

What Doesn’t Work

For a rom-com that talks about age-shaming, the sexual liberation of women – especially for those with wrinkles around their eyes and other progressive ideologies, the makers opted for a textbook climax. A different ending or a spicy twist would have been the cherry for The Idea Of You.

Technical Analysis 

Story, Script & Dialogues

Based on Robinne Lee’s The Idea of You, the Prime Video adaptation’s screenplay is written by Michael Showalter and Jennifer Westfeldt. The film begins with 40-year-old single mom Solène Marchand attending Coachella with her teenage daughter after her ex-husband bails out of it at the last minute. There, she unexpectedly meets 24-year-old Hayes Campbell, the lead singer of August Moon, and sparks begin flying. The budding romance, which has the internet calling her a cougar and questioning the singer’s taste in women, takes its audience on a world tour as the boy band continues its Europe tour. 

The film’s storyline is something you would expect from a rom-com – nothing out of the blue here. However, it stands out thanks to it throwing shade on all those dated notions surrounding the sexual liberation of women and a genuine, thriving relationship between an older woman and a young man. A little crisper writing would have made the film a more fulfilling experience. The film has quite a few steamy scenes – as well as a couple of intimacy sequences, however, none of them make you feel crass or cringe.

When it comes to dialogues, the Anne Hathaway-Nicholas Galitzine starrer has some typical as well as thought-provoking interactions. Be it the endeavoured conversation they have before their first kiss or when facing judgment for their relationship, the interaction between the lead characters – as well as those surrounding them, is sure to get you thinking.

Music

Given that the film is about a musician being infatuated and then falling head-over-heels in love with a 40-year-old single mom, you beat the music of The Idea Of You is top-notch. From band songs being performed at concerts to sweet, romantic tracks dedicated to each other behind closed doors, Siddhartha Khosla has made sure he’s incorporated something for everyone in this rom-com. The film’s background score is ok and helps in moving the narrative forward. 

Star Performances

Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine as Solène Marchand and Hayes Campbell shine bright. The duo share an amazing, organic chemistry that slowly but surely grows on you. They have you rooting for them, hoping things work out in their favour and they get a happily ever after. While scenes of them dotting on each other and spending quality time together roaming Europe and getting busy in the bedroom will give you butterflies, the emotional scenes will touch your heart. Kudos to Nicholas for being able to hold his own while standing near the gorgeous Anne.

The Idea Of You also stars Ella Rubin as Solène’s teen daughter Izzy, Reid Scott as her ex-husband Daniel and Perry Mattfeld as Eva, Daniel’s current partner. The rom-com also sees Jordan Aaron Hall, Jaiden Anthony, Raymond Cham Jr, Viktor White, Dakota Adan and Annie Mumolo put on okay performances given their character’s personalities.  

Conclusion 

Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine starrer The Idea Of You gives off a calming vibe that will make you snuggle into the blanket with some ice cream and re-watch the film. PS: If you cry watching emotional scenes, keep a tissue nearby, you may need to dab the corners of your eyes.

Watch the trailer after reading out The Idea Of You review:

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