From Jeremy Kibler

The Idea of You is a breezy romantic escape with two beautiful leads who have great teeth and even greater charisma. Based on actress-author Robinne Lee’s 2017 novel, it’s really just Notting Hill with a May-December spin, and while a societally unconventional (cradle-robbing) relationship is at the forefront, the film is never icky, nor is it judgmental. In fact, this is an otherwise frothy and pretty conventional romantic drama that gains mileage purely from the joint chemistry of its two stars.

Anne Hathaway plays Solène, a divorced L.A. mom who’s just turned 40. Her 16-year-old daughter, Izzy (Ella Rubin), is her everything, but she also runs an art gallery in Silver Lake. Just as she’s about to do something for herself—go solo camping—ex-husband Daniel (Reid Scott) asks Solène to take Izzy and her two friends to Coachella. While waiting for a meet-and-greet with popular boy band August Moon, Solène ends up meeting the lead singer, Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine). He’s 24 but charming as hell, and their chance encounter quickly turns into a romance. But can their relationship last? What will the rest of the world say? 

Director Michael Showalter (Spoiler Alert, The Big Sick) puts on his best Nancy Meyers impression—it’s marginally more down-to-earth with the lack of perfect Pottery Barn kitchens and throw pillows—and co-wrote the script with writer Jennifer Westfeldt. As the film nails the double standards between men and women of different ages—the reality check, the outpouring of hate on the Internet, and the judgment around her—Hathaway hits every vulnerable note perfectly and poignantly. And, as for the charming Galitzine, he really is a star, and he can sing (the songs by August Moon are actually pretty catchy).

As a couple, Hathaway and Galitzine are lovely and sweet together with chemistry that cannot be faked. There may be sixteen years between Solène and Hayes, but they’re living in the moment and not worried about what comes next. Each one of them is at a different stage in their life; Solène seemingly can’t afford a new fridge, but Hayes is so wealthy and financially carefree that he can buy every painting in her gallery. 

The film is at its best when keeping it intimate and just focusing on Solène and Hayes without all of the external challenges. There’s a little will-they-or-won’t-they? tension, but everything gets wrapped up in a five-years-later epilogue for tidier closure. It goes on a few beats longer than necessary when a more mature, bittersweet conclusion is right there. The Idea of You still turns out to be light fluff, but there is immense satisfaction in watching two actors look so comfortable canoodling. 

Rating: 3/5

The Idea of You streams on Prime Video on May 2, 2024.

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