The Idea Of You proves once again that it is fun watching two hot people make each other feel good.
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With the way The Idea Of You was being built up, it was almost pre-ordained that the movie was going to be the next movie Gen Z would obsess over. First, it stars Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine, a pairing that would automatically turn heads. Second, it’s a rom-com, always a plus in our book. Third, the story revolves around a 40-year-old single mom and a 24-year-old member of a boyband falling in love after crossing paths at Coachella.
Finally, it’s based on a novel of the same name by Robinne Lee that blew up during the pandemic and is reportedly (but not confirmed) to be based on Harry Styles fanfiction. So, with the movie finally out on Prime Video, it’s no surprise The Idea Of You has taken over the TikTok FYP and topped the Prime Video charts.
The film follows the life of Solène (Anne Hathaway), a 40-year-old single mother, whose world takes an unforeseen turn when she finds herself entangled in a whirlwind romance with Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), the lead singer of the hottest boy band on the planet, August Moon. So, is the movie worth the hype? Yes, to an extent. While the film isn’t perfect, it does capture a certain kind of rom-com magic that we’ve been missing in cinema. Before you get on the hype train, we’ve gathered a few reasons why The Idea Of You has gotten people talking.
THE CHEMISTRY IS UNDENIABLE
Anne Hathaway has made it no secret during the movie’s press tour that she and the other producers chose Nicholas to play Hayes the moment he entered the audition room. And that is evident in the film. The chemistry between the two actors is electric and ignites nearly every scene they are in. From their first meeting at Coachella to the more intimate setting of luxury hotel bedrooms, Anne and Nicholas give that kind of couple you want to root for.
As Solène and Hayes navigate their budding romance, the two actors charm as they breathe life into their characters with depth and authenticity. It’s like that trope of attracting the attention of the musician by being nonchalant at their concert but better. The movie gets that chemistry goes beyond how you look as sex appeal comes also in having fun and being silly with your special someone. It’s fun to watch these two and follow their story. Also, The Idea Of You is surprisingly steamy, with sex scenes and makeout sessions a plenty. Their first kiss on the piano? It had us feeling things.
THE MUSIC IS GREAT
Unlike in the novel, August Moon in the movie has actual music you can listen to. And it’s lowkey a bop. From the pulsating energy of Dance Before We Walk to the heartfelt lyrics of Closer, August Moon’s music is giving pop boy band you might stan IRL. The OST they made for the film is unironically competent and catchy, which is helped by the fact that the actors who play the fictional boy band underwent training for their vocals and performance. It wouldn’t be surprising if you searched the movie’s soundtrack after the credits roll.
THE THEMES ARE RELEVANT
Relationships that have significant age gaps in movies are nothing new. So, The Idea Of You doesn’t necessarily break new ground. But it does succeed in how it tells its story. While it can be cliche at spots, The Idea of You does delve into the complexities of love, fame, and personal relationships. The fantasy the movie tells is that Solène’s social currency increases as she gets older, a move away from how women are often told that their youth is their greatest asset.
It flips the script on pop culture depicting older men being with younger women as ok, while older women should be shamed for it. It speaks to how women of a certain age deserve their happiness, the public scrutiny and judgment that entails when exposed to a wider public, and the commentary that comes with it (which often is heavily against the woman).
Of course, The Idea of You doesn’t have all the answers when it comes to age-gap relationships. It falters in realism by not addressing what would happen when Solène gets older and the realities of aging set in, instead ending when Hayes and Solène’s relationship is at its most ideal. But then again, this is not that kind of movie.
IT’S NICHOLAS GALITZINE AND ANNE HATHAWAY
Who says movie stars are dead? When the film hits its lull moments, Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine carry the movie forward. It needs to be said how likable these two are, especially with the way they portray their characters. For Solène, she’s a successful 40-year-old woman who knows her stuff but doesn’t think she’s above everyone else.
Hayes, meanwhile, is a 24-year-old pop star whose ego takes a back seat to his charisma. He’s persistent in trying to woo Solène, but not in a way that feels overbearing. He also goes after her because he’s smitten by her beauty and wisdom, not because she’s a hot mom. This isn’t a “good time not a long time” kind of relationship. They find a fulfillment in each other that goes deeper than physical pleasure. Hayes and Solène see each other as real people, and not just objects of affection, something Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine bring out of each other.
The Idea Of You is now streaming exclusively on Prime Video
Photos courtesy of Prime Video
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