Falling in love can happen slowly; it can fester over time and take a leisurely descent as two people become one. However, it can just as easily sneak up on you or take an unexpected swan dive and land in your lap.
Love at first sight has been accused of only existing in fairytales, but the interaction between Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine’s characters in Michael Showalter’s film, a rendition of Robinne Lee’s best selling novel “The Idea of You,” serves as a beacon of hope to the contrary.
Galitzine is hot off the tails of his role in the Amazon Studios production “Red, White & Royal Blue,” which explores a complex relationship dynamic between two high-profile male figureheads, whereas Hathaway’s experience runs all the way back to the cult classic “The Princess Diaries.” The two main characters both have a history in the rom-com genre which, no doubt, funneled into their mesmerizing connection and on screen performance in “The Idea of You.”
A Whirlwind Romance
In the charming romantic comedy, Hathaway portrays a 40-year-old divorcee named Solène that lives a fairly melancholic life as the owner of a Silver Lake art gallery with her teenage daughter Izzie. On a weekend trip with Izzie’s friend group to the music festival Coachella, she mistakenly happens upon a trailer belonging to Galitzine’s character Hayes Campbell, the 24-year-old member of the fictional band August Moon. Within the confines of the trailer, the air is electric as the chemistry and tension between the two ooze out of the screen.
After an incredibly organic meet-cute the two are instantly enamored with each other and are swept into a whirlwind summer romance in Europe. However, once their relationship hits the media headlines, their little balloon of love is popped by an unforgiving needle of scrutiny due to their age difference, and Solène wonders if the public eye is too harsh a place for her. Throughout the film, Solène struggles with self esteem as she grapples to see herself as Hayes’ equal. She must un-cement her internal biases if the relationship is ever going to prosper, as even she has been groomed by society to see an age-gap relationship as taboo.
Flipping the Script
When the media discusses a traditionally taboo topic like an age-gap romance, they lean into the stereotype of an older man pursuing a younger woman. When and if a woman is cast as the pursuer, it is often in a predatory manner based solely on power, assertion and control. But this film is a nice flip of the script. It explores a relationship dynamic between an older woman and a younger man that have an undeniable natural connection based on more than just physical attraction.
Credit to Showalter’s direction is certainly due as he tackled a type of romantic connection that is often left out of the media. However, there is much to be said about the demonization of women in all age gap dynamics. If a younger woman is seen dating an older man, she is instantly labeled a “gold-digger,” but society gives no grace to an older woman seeing a younger man either.
In the film, Solène is sentenced to ridicule by the press often ruling her “cougar” and “predator,” whereas if the gender roles were reversed, they would rarely bat an eye. The film merely grazes over this topic, which given that it is typically not touched on in the media in any form is a welcome change. Although, there could definitely have been more of an emphasis placed on the ostracization of Hathaway’s character.
A dalliance with a handsome young pop star would appear to some as Solène’s midlife crisis; however, the relationship was more so a road to recovery. Despite her obvious infatuation with Hayes, he was also the human personification of glue that she used to mend her broken heart. After releasing herself from the infidelious marriage with her ex-husband, Solène was essentially born again into the dating world which placed her and Hayes on equal footing in the sense of maturity. However, the dichotomy that Hathaway brings to life in her character is exquisite in its relatability. She perfectly portrays the essence of both a responsible mature mother wanting to put her child’s happiness first and a woman who retains her youth in falling for a younger man.
Odds and Ends
The premise of the film is speculated to be based on a fan-fiction about a previous member of One Direction, Harry Styles, which makes perfect sense given the “boy-band” focus of the film. Although the band is definitely an underwhelming supporting element that didn’t add much depth to the script, the passionate performance brought by both Hathaway and Galitzine creates a two-man show that could have done without some of the unconvincing support.
Despite the somewhat heavy nature of the film’s message, it is balanced with a healthy dose of comedy aside from the mediocre insertion of the boy band trope. The witty banter between Hathaway and Galitzine is laughable and creates a relatability in the characters that resonates with an audience.
“The Idea of You” is most definitely a fresh take on the taboo nature of an age-gap romance and has set the bar as one of the better romantic comedies to grace the big screen this year. It is a joy to watch and certainly pulls on the heartstrings of the audience by presenting a relationship to pull for. It perfectly captures the blissful element of love at first sight with the relatability of characters that feel as real as the person sitting next to you.
