Nicholas Galitzine and Anne Hathaway in a still from the movie “The Idea of You”
At first glance, an idea An idea for you may seem like standard fan fodder: a forbidden romance between an older woman and a younger heartthrob. Probably because it is. Director Michael Showalter and co-writer Jennifer Westfeldt seem to have brought an unexpected nuance to what is certainly a tattooed, cardigan-clad fanfic depicting a certain boy band’s dreamboat (might have a thing for watermelons and sugar) that feels grounded and original.
Based on the eponymous bestseller by Robinne Lee, the film tells the story of Solène (Anne Hathaway), a recently divorced woman approaching forty who is drawn into an unlikely romance with Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), a British boy band sensation. What begins as a chance meeting at a concert quickly turns into a whirlwind romance spanning continents as Solène struggles to regain her independence while navigating the uncharted territory of a relationship with a much younger man.
An idea for you (English)
Director: Michael Showalter
To throw: Anne Hathaway, Nicholas Galitzine, Ella Rubin and Reid Scott
Action time: 116 minutes
Plot: A 40-year-old single mother begins an unexpected romance with a 24-year-old boy band singer
Solène Hathaway comes across as completely alive and compelling, charting her character’s journey from a woman rediscovering her sudden youth and making up for lost time, to a woman lost in the ecstatic throes of passion. Hathaway carries herself with a gentleness that bleeds from Solène’s underlying trust issues and complements her spirited, girlish charm, making her a character you can instantly identify with and root for.
Her chemistry with Galitzine’s Hayes as she tries to find her newfound independence is tender, sexy and stylishly captured, thanks in part to Jim Frohna’s intimate shots and Siddhartha Khosla’s haunting score. Their whirlwind romance crackles with electricity that makes their illicit affair seem that much more irresistible, with every stolen glance and tender moment.
Nicholas Galitzine and Anne Hathaway in a still from the movie “The Idea of You”
Galitzine, for her part, imbues Hayes with a fascinating blend of sweetness and emotional depth, elevating him beyond the typical heartthrob archetype. There is a restrained complexity to his writing that goes beyond mere eye candy and seeks to present him as a truly multi-faceted person rather than a cardboard cutout.
Because of this forbidden summer love The Great Infirmed the director delves into the nuances of age, power dynamics, and the impact of social media on newfangled romance. Solène struggles with social expectations and the judgment of Internet users (“Cougar” and “Yoko Ono 2.0” – we read in some headlines), and the film asks uncomfortable questions, reflecting society’s obsession with fame and fantasy.
While the patriarchal double standard is an inevitable, if unsurprising, cog in the wheel of their relationship, the film does its best to make the most of these moments of conflict; Solène, Hayes and those close to them attempt to solve problems with a mature, contemporary sensibility rather than the comfort of early 21st century comedy melodrama.
An idea for you it is also an attempt to dispel age-old myths born from the absurd notion that female desire has a finite shelf life (unlike the milk in Solène’s fridge) and the astonishing belief that motherhood somehow suppresses women’s sex appeal. The film’s climax, only somewhat satisfying in its prosaic resolution, leaves a lackluster aftertaste of a missed opportunity. By opting for a more established “happily ever after,” the script seems to sacrifice the sacrifice that made the story that much more endearing.
Yet amidst these weighty themes, the film never loses sight of its romantic core, delivering graceful moments of genuine warmth and humor that long resonate and strengthen our empathy for these characters. An idea for you undermines the hopes placed in him Notting Hillsimilar to an exploration of the nature of attractiveness in the digital age and the toxic, changing landscape of celebrity culture. However, without Hathaway’s great performance, it wouldn’t be as compelling.
The Idea of You will be available to watch from May 2 on Amazon Prime Video.