The Idea of You
Sometimes, when the day is particularly stressful, big schlocky romance is called for. Or big schlocky romance with a contemporary twist — she’s Anne Hathaway, he’s a Brit boy band star strongly aligned to Team Styles: she has no idea who he is. But she’s about to…
Whilst there was much here to potentially head towards ickyness, it never does. Anne Hathaway is a divorced parent who runs an art gallery. Nicholas Galitzine is a devastatingly handsome boy band star who digs art — and soon art gallery owners. Let down by her feckless grandiose ex-husband Daniel (Reid Scott) at the last possible moment, Anne Hathaway steps in to supervise her daughter’s trip to Coachella to see a band she’s never heard of. Randomly she wanders into someone’s space and meets Nicholas Galitzine, who she doesn’t know and doesn’t recognise. He’s charmed by her naivete and seeks out artistic opportunities through a commission at her gallery. Being both impossibly beautiful, in separate universes, ofcourse they end up together!
Whilst not at the pinnacle of a Norah Ephron Tom Hanks meets Meg Ryan or indeed leading 1980's man meets Meg Ryan, this is still a high standard of romantic comedy. There is romance! There is struggle to be together, as well as the fun of being together; there is, unusually, self-sacrifice, there is other-focused-ness, there is choosing the best for others first over self. Whilst I’m not sure we ever see them getting to know each other as Nicholas Galitzine’s Hayes claims he wants to do, we do get to see them jetting round the world having fun times and sweet asides. At several points, Hayes fights for their relationship as the media and the ‘net and horrible ex-husbands intervene, and Solène (Anne Hathaway) gives up.
Hathaway’s Solène is impossibly glamourous, but somehow also manages to convince as a forty-something mum who’s been betrayed by her husband and all their mutual friends, and really cares for her daughter. Ella Rubin shines as her daughter Izzie, a supportive and much cherished child, who also experiences how brutal the socials can be.
Best of all there is a great ending to the will they-won’t they to-ing and fro-ing. There is art! There are some awkward and funny scenes at the poolside as Anne Hathaway can’t resist comparing herself to her younger counterparts. There is honesty as Hayes tells it like it is and challenges Solène to take a holiday! Charming and fun — as interestingly the camera focuses on faces and kissing rather than furious bodies, adding to the romance. Just wish they had more actual dialogue before lurching to the next crisis — but it’s not that kind of film!
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