The Idea of You is now streaming on Prime Video.
By Greg Wheeler
Amazon Prime Video’s latest film, The Idea of You, brings to life the 2017 novel by Robin Lee, which was loosely inspired by the life of Harry Styles during his time with the boy band One Direction. The film stars Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine as the leads, following the story of Soléne, a single mother who becomes involved with a pop star named Hayes Campbell after meeting him at Coachella during his band’s, August Moon, fan meeting.
As their on-again, off-again relationship develops, Soléne’s otherwise private life is thrown into turmoil. Recognizing the age gap between herself and Hayes, as well as prioritizing her daughter, Izzy, Soléne ultimately decides to end the relationship with the singer. The movie poses the question: will they find a happy ending?
With stars like Hathaway, known for her timeless beauty, and Galitzine, who is gaining significant popularity, the film is a draw for fans looking to see the pair’s chemistry on screen. The Idea of You does deliver on the promises of its trailer and promotional material.
Despite a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes, the plot of The Idea of You feels underdeveloped. The story seems reminiscent of a Wattpad novel adapted for the screen, yet it falls short in fleshing out Soléne and Hayes’ relationship. Their romance unfolds largely through a single musical montage, leaving little room for the audience to truly connect with their journey.
More time spent developing the relationship could have made their eventual breakup more impactful. The film begins with a somewhat awkward meet-cute scene, typical of Wattpad fanfiction. However, the narrative eventually explores the realities of dating a celebrity and its impact on personal relationships. As a consequence of her involvement with Hayes, Soléne nearly jeopardizes her relationship with her daughter.
The Idea of You provides a realistic portrayal of the challenges of dating a celebrity and how it can affect the personal life of someone outside the limelight. While the film’s story may lack depth, the strong performances from Hathaway and Galitzine elevate the viewing experience. Their on-screen chemistry is the highlight of this decent one-time watch.
I give The Idea of You a C+.
TV and City 