As one of the best romantic movies in recent memory,The Idea of Youdeserves credit for bringing a sense of emotional maturity rarely seen inmodern rom-coms. As an incredible adaptation ofthe novel by Robinne Lee, Anne Hathaway proved that, even after all these years, nobody could lead a rom-com quite like her.
Gaining overwhelming critical acclaim from audiences and critics alike,The Idea of Youwas Prime Video’s most popular film worldwide in 2024(viaFlix Patrol), highlighting that viewers still flock to romance films when the material is good enough. Coming from acclaimeddirector Michael Showalter, this surprise success hit all the right notes and stands as a modern rom-com triumph.
The Idea Of You Is More Than Just A Standard Romance Movie
Anne Hathaway Delivered A Mature & Believable Performance
At first glance,The Idea of Youmight sound familiar, as the story of an ordinary person falling for a celebrity has been seen repeatedly in movies likeNotting Hill,Music and Lyrics, andMarry Me. However, this powerful love story pushed past the tropes of the genre to deliver a genuinely compelling tale about the complexities of love.
Hathaway’s unexpected romance with the young boy band pop star Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine) was presented as anything but simple.
As the divorced mother to a teenage daughter, Solène Marchand, Hathaway’s unexpected romance with the young boy band pop star Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine) was presented as anything but simple. With a lighthearted sense of humor and emotional complexity, the realistic consequences of the pair’s whirlwind affair were explored with genuine pathos asthe relationship upended everything about Solène’s life.
While Solène and Hayes had an instant connection and filled the gaps in each other’s souls,The Idea of Youalso addressed how an age gap, celebrity, and societal expectations can stand in the way of happiness. A lesser romance movie would ignore these consequences, yetThe Idea of Youhoned in on them to depict the complexities of love.
The Idea Of You Is One Of Prime Video’s Best Original Movies Ever
Michael Showalter Struck The Right Balance Of Comedy And Romance
Prime Video has had plenty of great original movies, with releases likeAir,I Want You Back, andSound of Metalgaining widespread acclaim. However,The Idea of Youwas a rare modern romance that can live up to the classics, and its in-depth examination of the pitfalls of dating as an older woman made it stand out.
From the excellent original music from the movie’s fictional band August Moon to the powerful chemistry between Hathaway and Galitzine,The Idea of Youtook its concept seriously and delivered its story with genuine dramatic heft. This was a romance that easily could have devolved into ridiculous clichés, but it instead felt mature and authentic.
