A romance between a mother and a much younger singer hits the right notes.
In terms of romances between mothers and younger men, the chemistry between Reese Witherspoon and Pico Alexander in “Home Again” was sexy but underdeveloped. And in terms of musicians sparking romances between with average guys, Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson both failed to ignite the screen in “Marry Me.” Far cry from “The Graduate” or “Notting Hill” and “Roman Holiday.”
But here’s a movie that’s miles ahead of those two features, but should be shown in theaters instead of Amazon Prime Video. Although I understand why it would go to streaming, given the public’s views on movies these days. It’s called “The Idea of You,” and it features Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine in one of the smartest and sexiest romances in recent memory. I’m don’t sound corny here, because I have made the wise decision of skipping the “Fifty Shades of Grey” sequels, and the movie doesn’t go for the generic mushy stuff. It goes for the fire within.
Based on Robinne Lee’s novel, Hathaway plays a divorced 40-year-old mother and artist named Solene who is forced to take her daughter Izzy (Ella Rubin) and friends to Coachella, after her ex Daniel (Reid Scott) cancels at the last minute. When looking for the VIP bathroom, she stumbles inside the trailer of Hayes Campbell (Galitzine), the lead singer for August Moon.
It becomes a John Lennon and Yoko Ono story for these two as they fall in love. Solence is skeptical about it for two reasons: he’s much younger than her (24-years-old) and how her ex’s unfaithfulness has left her a bit cynical as love. But this charming young man is able to change her tune a bit.
She travels with him on his world tours, and when someone gets a snapshot of them having dinner in Italy, this is when they be confirm their romance, and this is when things go bananas. You know the kind that resorts in social media comments and criticisms. My response to them: “Would you rather Hayes be a teenager instead of a young adult? Because that would be worse.”
“The Idea of You” was directed by Michael Showalter, who has proven to be a filmmaker who gives his characters their challenges and chemistry. Sometimes it can be easy and other times it can be hard; and it all becomes balanced. Yes, some montages drag on, but there are more important moments regarding Solene and Hayes’ romance and their respective issues. It’s all about how their sparks bring out their best qualities, and despite our 2020s setting, it feels like an old fashioned love story.
Hathaway is emotional and delightful in the ways she learns to ignite the flames in her heart. Galitzine is continuing to charm us in the tradition of “Cinderella” and “Red, White, and Royal Blue” (both of which have also been released on Amazon Prime Video) with his tone and mannerisms. And Rubin does some wise supporting work as the teenage daughter who tries to break free from the teenager cliches and use her words consistently.
“The Idea of You” shows us the questions and complications of such an age difference romance, but I still don’t care about the negative comments. I care about these two people and how they learn to overcome the negativity. And I’m still turned on by them. Sorry not sorry.
Streaming on Amazon Prime Video Tomorrow
