The Idea of You

Claims that the rom-com genre has become stilted and cringe have caused much discourse of late, with a yearning for the bombardment of romances we experienced in the noughties. Who better, then, to lead a modern rom-com, than the unparalleled Anne Hathaway? Michael Showalter’s The Idea Of You gives us the actress at her best and at the centre of a vibrant, captivating and moving film.

We follow Hathaway’s Solène on a journey of self-fulfilment and freedom as she allows herself a relationship with Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), the star of the fictional band August Moon. They meet coincidentally when Solène takes her 16-year-old daughter (Ella Rubin) to a meet-and-greet with the singer at Coachella, and Hayes falls for her totally and immediately.

Hayes’s star-studded life is a huge pull into this world for both Solène and viewers. It is truly dazzling, full of backstage antics, private jets and European getaways. The attention to detail is impressive, and the commitment to create original songs for August Moon to perform adds several layers of immersion to the project. Indeed, none other than Savan Kotecha – who has penned more pop anthems than anyone could ever understand, including some of One Direction’s biggest hits – has created an entire album for the band. August Moon feels real, and getting an inside look at them, especially from such a romantic angle, is enough to make one feel giddy.

The film flows between moments of bliss, shock and sorrow, with Showalter’s direction making the emotional beats particularly affecting. We go up and down, but it’s not jarring. Instead, it feels entirely natural, entirely real, never forced for effect.

Galitzine is an exciting new talent. He plays Hayes with magnetism and vulnerability, and he sings beautifully on all of Kotecha’s tracks. The Idea Of You, however, belongs to Hathaway. To watch Solène open herself up to this relationship, despite how society dictates women in their 40s should live, is wonderful. Hathaway is sensational; we move and feel as she moves and feels, and her chemistry with each actor is a testament to her experience and ability to command a scene.

The Idea Of You is both dizzying and touching. It flies off the screen in heart-racing rushes, and proves again that the rom-com is safe in the hands of Michael Showalter. 

Talitha Stowell

The Idea of You is released on Prime Video on 2^nd May 2024.

Watch the trailer for The Idea of You here: