Anne Hathaway portrays Solène, the owner of a Silver Lake art gallery who is on the verge of turning 40. When her unreliable ex-husband (Reid Scott) fails to take their daughter Izzy (Ella Rubin) and her friends to a VIP experience at Coachella, she is reluctantly compelled to accompany them on the trip to the desert.
During this journey, Daniel, their father, surprises Izzy with VIP meet-and-greet passes for August Moon, a band Izzy used to adore but has now outgrown. This leads to an unexpected encounter that pushes the boundaries of belief. While trying to locate the VIP bathrooms, Solène inadvertently wanders into August Moon’s tour bus and meets 24-year-old Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), who is immediately smitten with her.
The Idea Of You Review
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Featuring a band reminiscent of One Direction, August Moon comes to life with its devoted fanbase, outdated dance routines, and cheesy tunes. The cast (Nicholas Galitzine, Jaiden Anthony, Raymond Cham Jr., Viktor White, and Dakota Adan) contributed original music for the film, capturing the essence of early 2010s pop bands.
The Idea Of You challenges viewers to suspend disbelief as the storyline may seem a bit contrived. Once viewers accept the rapid progression of the romance, they are likely to be charmed by this tale of a star pursuing a civilian significantly older than him.
Rather than focusing on the age disparity, the film delves into the emotional baggage hindering their love. It explores his struggle with trust and the challenges of her past failed relationship, emphasizing the barriers individuals face when seeking love after heartbreak.
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![The Idea Of You Review](https://nerdspin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/the-idea-of-you-IDEA_2023_FG_01024405_Still367RC_rgb-1024x512.webp)
The Idea of You intriguingly explores Solène and Hayes‘ emotional baggage rather than dwelling on their age difference. It sensitively navigates Solène’s dilemma of choosing between her family responsibilities and her personal happiness.
While the film excels in the lighthearted moments of their blossoming romance, it falters in the heavier melodramatic sections towards the end. The pacing suffers in the middle portion of the nearly two-hour film, potentially benefiting from a shorter runtime to maintain consistency.
The Idea of You is unexpectedly sensual, featuring Hathaway and Galitzine’s captivating on-screen chemistry. The intimate scenes are more explicit compared to other romantic films, boldly exploring female sexuality.
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Despite Galitzine’s solid performance, Hathaway steals the show with her charisma and beauty, making it easy to believe in her character’s appeal to a younger man. Directed by Michael Showalter (The Big Sick) and co-written by Jennifer Westfeldt, The Idea Of You avoids the clichés of portraying boy bands and their zealous fans and instead delivers a nuanced portrayal of aspirations beyond fame.
The Idea of You prioritizes storytelling over visual extravagance, reminiscent of a teen drama rather than a star-studded spectacle. While lacking originality in plot development, this romantic film offers engaging performances from its leads.
Score: B
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![The Idea Of You](https://nerdspin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/aaa-jpg.webp)
The Idea Of You
Based on the acclaimed, contemporary love story of the same name, The Idea of You centers on Solène (Anne Hathaway), a 40-year-old single mom who begins an unexpected romance with 24-year-old Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), the lead singer of August Moon, the hottest boy band on the planet. When Solène must step in to chaperone her teenage daughter’s trip to the Coachella Music Festival after her ex bails at the last minute, she has a chance encounter with Hayes and there is an instant, undeniable spark.