The Idea of You | Rotten Tomatoes

The Idea of You

R

Released May 2

1h 55m

Romance

Drama

Comedy

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81%

Tomatometer

159 Reviews

66%

Audience Score

500+ Ratings

Based on the acclaimed, contemporary love story of the same name, The Idea of You centers on Solène (Anne Hathaway), a 40-year-old single mom who begins an unexpected romance with 24-year-old Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), the lead singer of August Moon, the hottest boy band on the planet. When Solène must step in to chaperone her teenage daughter's trip to the Coachella Music Festival after her ex bails at the last minute, she has a chance encounter with Hayes and there is an instant, undeniable spark. As they begin a whirlwind romance, it isn't long before Hayes' superstar status poses unavoidable challenges to their relationship, and Solène soon discovers that life in the glare of his spotlight might be more than she bargained for.

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Critics Consensus

The Idea of You offers a welcome reminder that Anne Hathaway remains a thoroughly delightful romcom lead -- and reaffirms that few filmmakers understand the genre better than Michael Showalter.

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Robert Levin

Newsday

This is a substantial movie with the veneer of a frothy romantic comedy.

Rated: 3/4

May 21, 2024

Full Review

Katy Waldman

New Yorker

Anne Hathaway, as Solène, is a vision of relatability, self-sufficiency, and poise, in a film that proves the rom-com isn’t dead.

May 20, 2024

Full Review

Saskia Kemsley

London Evening Standard

Hathaway is a talent no matter what she’s in, and Nicholas Galitzine is one to watch. Together, they make what should be an unbearable cringe-fest a convincing and rather enjoyable experience.

Rated: 4/5

May 15, 2024

Full Review

Louisa Moore

Screen Zealots

Falls flat and fails to deliver on its promise of a contemporary love story. The film struggles to find its footing and ultimately fails because it lacks the charm, humor, and romance needed to succeed in the genre.

May 23, 2024

Full Review

Lachmi Deb Roy

Firstpost

The music, the styling, and the outfits are great. The story is simple and pure fluff.

Rated: 3/5

May 22, 2024

Full Review

Erik Childress

Movie Madness Podcast

Hathaway shows up as usual but as usual with much of Showalter’s work, the primary element that should warrant precision scrutiny is softened until it becomes insultingly generic.

Rated: 1.5/4

May 21, 2024

Full Review

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Nim T

The movie was a rom com that was different than other ones acted by Anne Hathaway. As a 90s person, I practically grew up watching her films and it was hard to get used to at first seeing her portray as a mom that happened to like someone who could be the age of her son. However, the chemistry between them is apparent, with the difficulties one had to face from society and paparazzi while going official. The relationship was genuine, innocent, yet heartbreaking due to conservative beliefs related to one's age. The moments where the characters can be themselves are actually the highlights in the film.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/25/24

Full Review

Melody S

I found this movie, very enjoyable and relatable to anyone who grew up during the boy band era. The chemistry between the two leads is surprisingly really strong. I think this movie wouldn’t have worked with anyone else besides Anne Hathaway. Critics say this movie isn’t realistic… It isn’t supposed to be it’s a movie and probably playing out everyone’s “Harry styles fantasies” haha

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/24/24

Full Review

Janette R

It'll be a shock to some to see Anne Hathaway portraying the so-called "MILF" albeit she's verging upon middle age in the movie. Still, it's not an entirely outrageous stretch for a 24 yr. old man to be attracted to a 40 year old. So, that premise stands up on its own. What doesn't is the how and where he meets her, her philandering hubby outraged at their scandalous affair, and after a 5 year separation we are led to believe their passion still rocks hard. It passes the time away, I suppose, and everyone looks terrific. So there's that.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/24/24

Full Review

Rodrigo M

I almost cry in boredom

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

05/24/24

Full Review

Joy G

Vapid was expected, but it’s a silly mess lacking heat and chemistry. Galitzine is the only charming thing about this. AH has no chemistry with him, it’s laughable that they even have this fling. The teen daughter looks 25, as do her friends. Baffled by the positive reviews, must be Harry Styles groupies.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

05/24/24

Full Review

Nikhil K

Really Great Movie. Saw Rom Com with Big Cast after long time. Well written story, of course unrealistic but yet the connection seems real. Need more of this.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/24/24

Full Review

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Michael Showalter

Director

Anne Hathaway

Solene

Nicholas Galitzine

Hayes

Ella Rubin

Izzy

Annie Mumolo

Tracy

Reid Scott

Daniel

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The Idea of You: Trailer 1

2:20

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Synopsis

Based on the acclaimed, contemporary love story of the same name, The Idea of You centers on Solène (Anne Hathaway), a 40-year-old single mom who begins an unexpected romance with 24-year-old Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), the lead singer of August Moon, the hottest boy band on the planet. When Solène must step in to chaperone her teenage daughter's trip to the Coachella Music Festival after her ex bails at the last minute, she has a chance encounter with Hayes and there is an instant, undeniable spark. As they begin a whirlwind romance, it isn't long before Hayes' superstar status poses unavoidable challenges to their relationship, and Solène soon discovers that life in the glare of his spotlight might be more than she bargained for.

Director: Michael Showalter
Producer: Cathy Schulman, Gabrielle Union, Anne Hathaway, Robinne Lee, Eric Hayes, Jordana Mollick, Michael Showalter
Screenwriter: Michael Showalter, Jennifer Westfeldt
Distributor: Amazon Studios
Production Co: Somewhere Pictures, Amazon Studios, I'll Have Another, Welle Entertainment
Rating: R (Sexual Content|Some Language)
Genre: Romance, Drama, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 2, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 2, 2024
Runtime: 1h 55m

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