Susan Granger’s review of “The Idea of You” (Amazon/Prime Video)
The older woman/younger man romantic concept has not been explored like this in a contemporary rom-com – which is what makes “The Idea of You” unique.
Smart, savvy Solene Marchand (Anne Hathaway – at her charming best) is a divorced, 40 year-old mom who owns an art gallery in the trendy Silver Lake section of Los Angeles.
When her feckless ex-husband (Reid Scott) flakes out on a promised trip to Coachella, Solene agrees to chaperone their 16 year-old daughter Izzy (Ella Rubin) and her friends.
Searching for the VIP bathroom at the desert concert venue, Solene accidently stumbles into the trailer belonging to British 24 year-old boy-band heartthrob Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), who is immediately attracted to her.
When his group – August Moon – takes the stage, the pop star publicly flirts with Solene, but their rocky road to romance is filled with fame-induced pitfalls – since being with a paparazzi-hounded celebrity is challenging – even though it includes room service in posh hotel suites, glam stylists and private jets.
When she’s ruthlessly denounced as a ‘cougar’ and severely judged on social media, it deeply affects dewy yet vulnerable Solene, who describes herself as “a people-pleaser from New Jersey,” making her wonder if you can ever mend your heart after it’s been broken by a massive trust trauma.
Based on Robinne Lee’s popular novel, it’s adapted by Jennifer Westfeldt and director Michael Showalter, who deftly hone in on what happens to a middle-aged woman who defies societal expectations and how its ramifications affect her teenage daughter.
Apparently that’s a poignant topic to which Anne Hathaway can relate, since she’s been the object of social media controversy ever since the cruel backlash after her Oscar-win for “Les Miserables” and has spoken of it to several interviewers.
Recognize Nicholas Galitzine from “Red, White & Royal Blue” and “George & Mary”? Many fans think his Hayes Campbell character was inspired by ‘One Direction’ frontman Harry Styles’ dating ‘older’ Olivia Wilde.
On the Granger Gauge of 1 to 10, “The Idea of You” is an empathetic 8, an emotional roller-coaster – streaming on Prime Video.
