The most important part of a romance film is, of course, the romance. "The Idea of You" has a believable romance in Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine.
"The Idea of You" is based on a book by the same name and brings a romance we don't usually see on screen. Solene (Hathaway) is a forty year old woman. She has a 16 soon to be 17 year old daughter Izzy (Ella Rubin). She's divorced and content in her singleness.
This all changes when Solene has to join her daughter at Coachella after Izzy's father cancels as the chaperone at the last minute. Here she meets pop superstar Hayes Campbell (Galitzine) and the two begin a whirlwind despite their age gap.
The plot is predictable. However, Hathaway and Galitzine play off each other well. Their chemistry is believable and it's fun to see a romance where an older woman is with a younger man.
The romance between Hayes and Solene is sweet from the start. The film does get hot and heavy (but not overly so) as it goes on and you can't help, but root for these two. The supporting cast balances the two leads well, though Solene's ex Dan (Reid Scott) is a little too smarmy.
I also have to give credit to the filmmakers. As I said, the film isn't overtly graphic with the scenes. You don't see any nudity, but the passion between the characters still jump off the scene. The use of movement, choreography and lighting bring the scenes to life without being gross.
This isn't my favorite romance film by any means. Still, it is really cool to have an older woman be viewed as desirable by a younger man and have her pleasure featured.
Of course, Anne Hathaway is incredibly beautiful and attractive and it's easy to still see her as someone who is desirable. Still, age gaps are controversial and this provides the main conflict of the film.
As a mother more than a forty year old, Solene is expected to behave like one. She should be doting completely on her daughter and satisfied doing that as opposed to engaging in a romantic relationship with a hot popstar. It's fun to see a woman go after what she wants.
So many romances try to manufacture the romance with hot and heavy scenes. Others lean into the love no matter how ridiculous the situations may be. "The Idea of You" does the latter. The belief that women should stop embracing their sexuality once they become mothers is a message that is everywhere. The part that is unbelievable though is that Anne Hathaway is anything other than a hot woman who could get any man she wants.
"The Idea of You" is streaming on Amazon. I am two years to late in watching it, but it was on a list of recommended Valentine's Day movies and I wanted to check it out.
It's predictable and there other romance films out there. That being said, if you want nothing but love, romance and sex between an older woman and a younger man then this is the perfect film to fill that niche.
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