Listen to this story and many of you will say, ‘yes.’ There’s Jerry, a failed proprietor of a narrow business, emotionally hurt and detached from his family and friends. Then there’s Nyla, glamourous like an angel, singing to Cheers and Circles all ready to go home. Beautiful couple–isn’t it? But it is understandable as to why it is a star who has to visit regular people’s homes with pathetic couches and disgusting drinks and even worse artwork but nevertheless the crouching photographers compliments the warmth of the whole thing.
You will identify with a lot of scenes of the film ‘Notting Hill,’ to eerily more moments in ‘The Idea of You.’ The writers include Michael Showalter (who’s directed this as well) and Jennifer Westfeldt who even in their good films have no particular sheen. In this case, they are making an adaptation of a beloved novel by Robinna Lee. The book is advertised on Amazon claiming “Make sure to include it on your book list: It has earned a place in The Skimm’s top eight books” along with a “perfect gift” message. The creators seem to think they could afford to tip the balance in favor of the fans who would come for the stars to save the weak script. They are right for part of it.
In the film, an attractive Anne Hathaway who feels fit enough to play the role of an older lady submits never-ending charm to her character while the rising star Nicholas Galitzine impresses with his play of a classic prince charming. The film draws its strength from its remarkable cast; however, even though the storyline constantly puts these two actors into unfulfilled love scenes, hugs and farewells, they give their own a fair share of effort.
Marchand had expected to deploy her earning to open a small gallery in the now-fashionable Silver Lake district of Los Angeles in order to stop being a drunken single parent looking after her high school daughter Izzy (more precisely Ella Rubin, this is her last year). Unfortunately for Izzy, her paternal grandfather, Daniel (Reid Scott), who is fond of spoiling her with gifts rather than spending time with her, secured several VIP tickets to the Coachella Festival and promised the star’s daughter a meeting with a boy band her own daughter ceased to admire since being in seventh grade. This time, unfortunately, it is Daniel who cancels the invitation because he is called away on business. As a result, Solène has to coincide a hiking trip with a concert schedule in order to take Izzy and her peers to the concert.
That is where Solène somehow thinks that a singer’s trailer is a portable toilet. This, too, is supposed to be the touch that brings the two characters together.
14 year old boy-band hopeful Hayes Campbell (Galitzine) is that pop singing sensation turned poor little rich boy. His appeal lies in the fact that Solène not only fails to recognize who he is but also has a breathtaking beauty, Anne Hathaway. He locates her in an art exhibition, purchases all its contents and, since he is always pursued by reporters and fans, they come to her place for lunch, exchanging some tales about their respective problems with trust and then a kiss.
Up to this moment, things are alright. But here is the part where it becomes even more ludicrous, going from a borderline believable fairytale to a rather appealing target for any of those YouTube rascal fest with regard to plot holes and character inconsistency. Even though he was already alive in 2024 and had experienced far more than half his life with constant fan and media focus, it does not make sense to them how Solène can afford to travel with the band all over Europe, display public affection and nobody would catch a glimpse of it. It is true they did push his age to 24, up four years from the 20 years old as depicted in the novel which lessens the hooky factor somewhat. However, apart from being a hurt and lost man, Hayes holds little personality, as he speaks of a mindless devotion to his perfect boyfriend that knows no boundaries. Never of, how would I put it, voiceless helplessness; his inner child being painfully desperate over being abandoned by his mother; any fleeting momentary fantasies she could have about having kids someday; or any barriers of age.
So it is no wonder that Solène’s character is rather underdeveloped as well (the marriage yet to heal her from her previous relationship, hopes for her daughter–quite sweet in the fact that they sing along to St.
Vincent in the car) With strengthening her bond with the local artists and then later in the relationship with a pop singer who is 7 years older than her daughter, she is right to be wary. Only that Hayes has less to start with. His distinct characteristics are of being infatuated with Solène and perhaps trying to be a song writer. It should also be noted that the songs of the movie, whether they are original songs or needle drops, are not bad at all.
If living with underwritten tension Owen character would have been able to bring life to that character, Galitzine and Hathaway have a strong chance of receiving an Oscar. She might have preferred a payback on the screwing crossed husband rather than the romance but that many of the audience would seem implausible, how Solene and Hayes who seems to be opposites to one another try to make the alliance work out is something that we can’t help but cheer for.
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