Bringing an end to my 2024 SXSW Film & Television Festival is The Idea of You, starring Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine (Bottoms, Cinderella) as Solène and Hayes Campbell who meet unexpectedly at a large concert (Coachella). Her ex-husband Daniel (Reid Scott) bought their daughter Izzy (Ella Rubin) and friends concert tickets. He has a last-minute business trip and asks Solène to take the teens on the day of the event, and she must change her plans. Solène takes them on the road trip and has no intention of having fun – she is the mama escort after all. Little does she know; she enters an area thinking she is in the VIP ladies’ room, and this mistake will begin the change in her life she didn’t expect, nor think she needed.
Yes, there is a difference in their age (Solène/Hayes). I have no doubt there are people raising their eyebrows. In the same story, her ex-husband Daniel has a fling then decides to marry Eva [Perry Mattfeld] a much younger woman. This crushes Solène and their marriage. Some people seem to just shrug their shoulders when they hear/see an older man with a younger woman, but the drama ramps up when the role is reversed. It is sad to see and read the Internet comments, but the story line is handled well in the script and in the acting by the characters. Solène does think of her daughter, and this is addressed well in the script.
The film is rated R for adult content and is done well to show scenes of love and passion, but the scenes are done well without being detailed. These are two adults who fall in love, but society seems to have their say about the conditions placed on other people’s lives. Some love stories have their challenges and can get complicated. This is just one example and the chemistry between the actors is very strong. Both performed very well together as if they truly are a couple despite what they have faced. It is not hard for me to want the best for them and the families.
Directed and produced by Michael Showalter (The Big Sick, Hello, My Name is Doris- both Audience Award winners at the previous SXSW Film Festivals), based on the screenplay he co-wrote with Jennifer Westfeldt, based upon the book by Robinne Lee (producer).
The cast also includes Annie Mumolo, Jordan Aaron Hall, Mathilda Gianopoulos, Raymond Cham Jr., Jaiden Anthony, Viktor White, Dakota Adan, and Meg Millige. All the cast is great.
The film is produced by Cathy Schulman p.g.a., Gabrielle Union p.g.a., Anne Hathaway p.g.a., Eric Hayes, Jordana Mollick
I enjoyed the music in the film and the soundtrack is now available on Amazon Music. And yes, the great song “Closer” is available. I saw the video with the lyrics, and it fit so perfectly. Look it up!!
Synopsis: Based on the acclaimed, contemporary love story of the same name, The Idea of You centers on Solène (Anne Hathaway), a 40-year-old single mom who begins an unexpected romance with 24-year-old Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), the lead singer of August Moon, the hottest boy band on the planet.
The Idea of You premieres globally on Prime Video on May 2nd.
Source: Amazon Studios
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