Summary
- The age gap in Solène and Hayes' relationship is a central focus, a common theme in rom-coms like "I Could Never Be Your Woman."
- "Love & Other Drugs" tackles serious topics like illness amidst romance, contrasting lighter rom-coms aimed at younger audiences.
- The secrecy of Solène and Hayes' relationship mirrors other films like "Notting Hill," exploring the challenges of dating a celebrity.
The Idea of You is centered around an unconventional romance seen in many romantic comedies before it. The Idea of You follows the love story between an older single mother, Solène (Anne Hathaway) and a young pop star, Hayes (Nicholas Galitzine). Based on a book under the same name, The Idea of You changes details from the original text, but the complications of Solène and Hayes' relationship stay the same. Due to Hayes and Solène's age difference and the former's public persona, the two are made to keep their relationship hidden from the media and fans of Hayes' beloved boy band.
Both Hathaway and Galitzine have starred in romantic comedies before, but among their previous work, The Idea of You lands at the top with critics and audiences. Just like Solène and Hayes' relationship, other romantic comedies feature couples that work surprisingly well despite initial circumstances. Romantic comedies with comparable plots have also incorporated shared tropes of age gaps and hidden relationships, making them the ideal follow-ups after The Idea of You.
Anne Hathaway's New Amazon Movie Is A Reminder To Watch This 25-Year-Old Rom-Com With 84% On RT
Anne Hathaway's new movie has recently found its way onto Amazon Prime, and the romantic comedy has a lot in common with a classic from 1999.
10 I Could Never Be Your Woman (2007)
Michelle Pfeiffer and Paul Rudd
The age gap between Solène and Hayes plays a large part in their dynamic. It's because of their age difference that Solène is hesitant to begin a relationship with Hayes in the first place, and it's also the talking point of the public once their relationship is exposed. Like The Idea of You, another romantic comedy centered around an age-gap relationship is I Could Never Be Your Woman (the lead characters' daughter has the same name too).
Rosie (Michelle Pfeiffer), 40, hires Adam (Paul Rudd), 29, for her TV show, and as the two get to know one another, romantic feelings start to develop. Unlike The Idea of You, I Could Never Be Your Woman largely addresses Rosie's insecurities about her age by introducing an internal voice in Rosie's head known as Mother Nature. Additionally, while Adam doesn't start as a worldwide celebrity like Hayes does, his growing fame worries Rosie about the strength of their relationship.
9 Love & Other Drugs (2010)
Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal
Love & Other Drugs (2010)
Love & Other Drugs is a romantic drama film set in the late 1990s, following the story of Jamie Randall, a charismatic pharmaceutical salesman played by Jake Gyllenhaal, who begins a romantic relationship with Maggie Murdock, a free-spirited artist played by Anne Hathaway. As their relationship deepens, they must confront the challenges of intimacy, commitment, and the complexities of their respective careers.
- Director
- Edward Zwick
- Release Date
- November 4, 2010
- Cast
- Jake Gyllenhaal , Anne Hathaway , Oliver Platt , Hank Azaria , Josh Gad
- Runtime
- 112 Minutes
Another romantic comedy starring Anne Hathaway is Love & Other Drugs. Opposite Jake Gyllenhaal's Jamie, Hathaway plays Maggie, a patient diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Their relationship starts casual but becomes more serious when Jamie realizes the gravity of Maggie's diagnosis. What starts as a lighthearted romantic comedy, Love & Other Drugs quickly adds elements of drama.
The weight of Maggie's future impacts not only her relationship with Jamie but the tone of the film as well. While other romantic comedies can feel unrealistic and targeted towards a younger audience, Love & Other Drugs ensures the film holds its adult feel. Though critics felt some of the side plots and characters were unnecessary, the performances and chemistry of the lead actors are undeniable. Specifically, Hathaway's performance in Love & Other Drugs is strong and emotional, and grounds much of the film.
8 Upgraded (2024)
Camila Mendes and Archie Renaux
Upgraded
- Director
- Carlson Young
- Release Date
- February 9, 2024
- Cast
- Camila Mendes , Archie Renaux , Marisa Tomei , Lena Olin , Anthony Head , Saoirse-Monica Jackson
In The Idea of You, Solène is an art gallery owner whose job is an optimal cover-up for her romantic relationship with Hayes. Art isn't as crucial of a role in Solène and Hayes' relationship as her age or his fame is, but it acts as the starting point of their connection when Hayes makes his interest in Solène clear by buying out her gallery. Elements of the art world and secret identities can also be found in the 2024 film, Upgraded.
Interning in the art world, Ana (Camila Mendes) is hopeful of making it big one day. While on a work trip to London, Ana meets William (Archie Renaux) and lies about her position at work, appearing to be higher up than she is. Having kept the lie going for too long and fearing William wouldn't want to be with her if he were to discover the truth, Ana carries on living a double life.