The Idea of You (2024) may be called a romantic comedy except it lacks romance and comedy.
This is a surprise since the film is directed by Michael Showalter, who co-created the laugh-out-loud Wet Hot American Summer franchise with David Wain. The two also penned the underrated rom-com parody They Came Together (2014) starring Amy Poehler and Paul Rudd. Although a box office bomb, the genre spoof explodes with originality compared to Showalter’s latest venture.
Based on Robinne Lee’s same-named novel, The Idea of You stars Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine (the prince from 2021’s Cinderella) as a May December couple. Solène is a 40-year-old divorcée with plastic surgery who runs an art gallery, and Hayes is a 24-year-old pop singer in a famous boy band when they have their meet-cute in his trailer.
According to the book, Hayes is just 20 and Solène’s 12-year-old daughter has a major crush on him. In addition to upping his age, the screenplay by Showalter and Jennifer (Kissing Jessica Stein) Westfeldt grows the tween to 16 (played by an older-looking Ella Rubin). Right from the start, the movie makes a point to establish the high schooler has moved on from her junior high infatuation of the boy band’s frontman.
While it’s not unusual for adaptive screenwriters to incorporate alterations from the source material, this revision eliminates the lovers’ biggest obstacle. Consequently, the movie offers no real conflict, little sexual buildup, and an uncomplicated heroine. Next to Jennifer Lawrence’s fierce and hilarious performance in the rom-com No Hard Feelings (2023), Hathaway is a bore.
Oscar Wilde once said, “The very essence of romance is uncertainty” but because this film is so formulaic — borrowing heavily off of Notting Hill (1999) — there’s nothing uncertain about where the romance is going. In Licorice Pizza (2021), the age difference between 15-year-old Gary (Cooper Hoffman) and 28-year-old Alana (Alana Haim) presents a “will they or won’t they?” tension which is missing in this generic treatment. Even the trashy parts of Lee’s original love story have been cleaned up for a play-it-safe version.
In other words, The Idea of You is like Fifty Shades of Grey (2015) without campy sex; American Hustle (2013) without personality; Silver Linings Playbook (2012) without fleshed-out characters; Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) and Something’s Gotta Give (2003) without the stakes; Music and Lyrics (2007) without the timing; Before Sunset (2004) without clever dialogue; Punch-Drunk Love (2002) without quirk; Secretary (2002) without edginess; Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001) without a lovable lead; Serendipity (2001) without pre-destined soul mates; Jerry Maguire (1996) without quotable lines; Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) without the charm; Moonstruck (1987) without the authenticity; What’s Up Doc? (1972) and The Main Event (1979) without chemistry; Barefoot in the Park (1969), Send Me No Flowers (1964) and Sex and the Single Girl (1964) without the star power; Roman Holiday (1953) without the sacrifice; His Girl Friday (1940) without the banter; My Man Godfrey (1936) without the zaniness; and It (1927) without “it.”
Put simply, it would be a good idea for prospective viewers to skip this Prime Video miss and stream the aforementioned romantic flicks.
