The Idea of You - A Movie Review

If you get a shot at happiness you take it

The Idea of You is a 2024 film based on Robbine Lee’s 2017 novel. Solene, a 40-year-old single mom, begins an unexpected romance with 24-year-old Hayes Campbell, the lead singer of August Moon, a popular boy band. Their relationship causes an uproar among fans and Solene’s family.

The Idea of You presents romance themes that we have seen across several movies, especially with storylines that include age-gap relationships. Find relationships that make sense and think about how they’ll impact you.

Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine’s electric chemistry lit up the film. The right actors were paired together. They made this relationship feel real. While the characters conversed about their desires or problems I began to understand why they were drawn to each other. They’re seeing the parts that others have ignored.

Hathaway has already conquered a remarkable career and her performance attests to that. She delivers an astounding monologue about her character’s downfall with love. As for Galitzine, I just watched him in the comedy Bottoms. He pulls off both comedy and drama very well. If his performance with Hathaway says one thing, he’s going far in his career.

Hathaway and Galitzine had so much fun together. You could tell how this relationship impacted Solene and Hayes as they went from dull and rigid to excited and lively. I was uncertain about Hayes’s actions as some of his behavior was stalkerish. He also turns manipulative when Solene has second thoughts about the relationship.

The film should have spent more time with the supporting characters. Most of them don’t have an impact until the third act, like Solene’s daughter Izzy (Ella Rubin). Solene’s friend Tracy (Annie Mumolo) needed a bigger role, instead of Solene’s advice angel.

I liked how Daniel (Reid Scott) looked out for Solene when her relationship flooded the media. It’s a positive example of how exes look out for each other, but he needed to be involved more.

Michael Showalter’s best direction went to the actors and their romantic chemistry. The visuals are stunning along with the locations. The dialogue is written well, occupying natural conversations between the characters. The film’s tender moments are beautifully shot, with a warm, inviting cinematography that enhances the romantic atmosphere.

Showalter’s notable direction happens in the scene where Solene and Hayes share their first kiss. The scene has a sharp and effective quiet tone. It’s so rare to see that in films. They’re both willing to be vulnerable with one another, especially Hayes. Male emotions are not focused on enough in the media which Galetzine deserves more credit for.

As sweet as Solene and Hayes’s relationship is, it’s not suitable. Age-gap relationships are okay as long as they make sense. The narrative becomes somewhat predictable, relying on familiar romantic tropes and conflicts that have been seen in numerous films before. The ending is repetitive as people throw criticism at Solene.

I also believe the characters should have had a different turnout in the climax. I thought this movie would be a predictable rom-com but the film incorporated more relatable societal themes than you think. Showalter’s approach to the subject matter provides a resonating story for all viewers, even if the narrative sometimes treads familiar ground.

The film has relatable themes. Happiness is one of the most important aspects of life. We spend a lot of time figuring out who we are with age. In any relationship, be sure that it makes sense. Overall, I liked The Idea of You and I recommend it. I preferred a different ending.