The Idea of You || Michael Showalter || Michael Showalter || Jennifer Westfeldt || Quotes Pin

The Idea of You

"The Idea of You" is a delightful romantic comedy from 2024, helmed by director Michael Showalter, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jennifer Westfeldt. Drawing inspiration from Robinne Lee's novel of the same name, the film follows the enchanting tale of a single mother who finds herself entangled in a whirlwind romance with the charismatic lead singer of a renowned boy band. Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine shine in the lead roles, infusing the screen with charm and chemistry.

Debuting to eager audiences at South by Southwest on March 16, 2024, the film later found its way to viewers' screens courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios, premiering on Prime Video on May 2, 2024.

Plot

Solène Marchand is a gallery owner and divorcee who plans a solo camping trip while her ex-husband Daniel takes their daughter Izzy and her friends to Coachella. When Daniel is called away on work, she is forced to step in as chaperone. Daniel has managed to get a meet and greet with August Moon, a well-known boy band, even though Izzy thinks they're "so seventh grade." While waiting in the VIP area, Solène enters what she believes is a bathroom, only to discover that it is August Moon member Hayes Campbell's trailer. The two are quickly taken with each other, although Solène, who is sixteen years older than Hayes, is uncomfortable with their attraction. During August Moon's performance, Hayes seemingly changes the show's setlist to dedicate a song to her.

Attending her fortyth birthday celebration, Solène becomes discouraged about potential males of her age. Shortly after the festival, Hayes shows up unannounced at Solène's gallery, interested in purchasing art. After he abruptly buys every piece at the gallery, Solène brings him to a friend's warehouse, where they discuss life and art. After a restaurant invites too much attention, the two go to Solène's house to eat. They share a kiss, but Solène rebuffs him. Hayes leaves his watch behind at the house, then, finding Solène’s phone number on the gallery invoice, texts her to ask for its return. After spending summer camp with Izzy, Solène takes a plane to New York City, joins him at his hotel, and they have sex. Although she had just intended to spend the evening together, Hayes persuades her to accompany him on August Moon's European tour. Solène wishes to keep their relationship private, and does not tell Izzy about what she is up to.

As the band vacation in Ibiza, Solène becomes uncomfortable about her age in relation to the other women traveling with them. Other members of the band tell her that the moment when Hayes dedicated a song to her was an act that they use to impress women, and that Hayes has previously pursued relationships with older women. Solène, feeling misled and disillusioned about the relationship, returns to Los Angeles. Daniel, who has heard from a friend about Solène's relationship, questions her about it, but she denies that she and Hayes were together. Soon after, news and paparazzi photos of the relationship are published online, causing Solène to attract large amounts of unwanted attention from friends and strangers. When she goes to pick Izzy up at summer camp, she is furious at having been lied to, but forgives her mother.

Solène goes to a recording studio where Hayes is working, and the two rekindle their relationship, beginning to date publicly. She and her family delete social media to avoid any negative press. Daniel questions Solène about the relationship's effect on Izzy, who shares that she is experiencing difficulties at school because of it. News articles and online commenters begin to question Solène's fitness as a mother. When Hayes returns from a trip to New York, Solène ends the relationship again, but he returns to her house, proposing that the two resume their relationship in five years once Izzy is finished with school. He again leaves his watch with her. Five years later, Solène sees Hayes performing on The Graham Norton Show, where he mentions plans to visit Los Angeles. He returns to the gallery, where the two share a tearful reunion.

Cast

Anne Hathaway as Solène Marchand

Nicholas Galitzine as Hayes Campbell

Ella Rubin as Izzy

Reid Scott as Daniel

Jordan Aaron Hall as Zeke

Jaiden Anthony as Adrian

Raymond Cham Jr as Oliver

Viktor White as Simon

Dakota Adan as Rory

Annie Mumolo as Tracy

Perry Mattfeld as Eva

Production

The Idea of You, a novel by Robinne Lee, was picked for adaptation by Welle Entertainment in December 2018, with production handled by Cathy Schulman and Gabrielle Union. In 2018, Union listed the book as one of her 10 all-time favorites. Friends since the early 2000s, Union and Lee. Lee, Eric Hayes, Belle Hope Dayne, and Jordana Mollick also serve as producers. It was announced in June 2021 that Jennifer Westfeldt had adapted the book, with Anne Hathaway slated to play the lead role. August 2022 saw the confirmation of Michael Showalter as the director. In September 2022 Nicholas Galitzine was added to the cast as the lead singer of "the hottest boyband on the planet."[8][9] In October 2022, Ella Rubin was revealed to be playing Hathaway's daughter and that principal photography had commenced. Soon afterward, it was revealed that Annie Mumolo, Reid Scott, Perry Mattfeld, Jordan Aaron Hall, Jaiden Anthony, Raymond Cham, Vik White, and Dakota Adam—the remaining members of the band Galitzine fronts—had also joined the cast.

In October 2022, filming was conducted in the Georgian cities of Atlanta, Savannah, and the surrounding environs. 

Release

The Idea of You had its world premiere at South by Southwest as the closing-night film on March 16, 2024. It was released as an Amazon Prime Video exclusive on May 2, 2024.

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 83% of 84 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.5/10. The website's consensus reads: "The Idea of You offers a welcome reminder that Anne Hathaway remains a thoroughly delightful romcom lead—and reaffirms that few filmmakers understand the genre better greater than Michael Showalter. Based on 33 reviews from critics, the weighted average site Metacritic gave the movie a score of 67 out of 100, signifying "generally favorable" reviews.