Honestly, walking into a movie that basically feels like Harry Styles fan fiction usually comes with a set of very low expectations. You expect the cheese. You expect the logic to go out the window. But Anne Hathaway in The Idea of You kind of flips that script on its head, turning what could have been a "Wattpad dream" into a surprisingly sharp look at aging, motherhood, and the absolute messiness of falling in love with a pop star.
It is rare to see a movie handle the "older woman, younger man" trope without making it feel like a predatory joke or a hollow fantasy. But Hathaway brings this grounded, dewy winsomeness to Solène that makes you forget the 16-year age gap almost immediately.
The Setup You Probably Already Know
The story kicks off at Coachella. Solène is a 40-year-old art gallery owner from Silver Lake—basically the capital of cool, divorced moms—and she’s there because her ex-husband, Daniel, flaked on their daughter Izzy.
While looking for a bathroom, she stumbles into the trailer of Hayes Campbell. Played by Nicholas Galitzine, Hayes is the 24-year-old lead singer of August Moon, which is essentially the biggest boy band on the planet. He’s smitten. She’s amused but skeptical. He’s a "baby," as she puts it.
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But he doesn’t act like one. He pursues her with a level of confidence and emotional intelligence that feels almost too good to be true, showing up at her gallery and buying every piece of art just to get a lunch date. It’s the kind of move that would be creepy in real life but is undeniably romantic when Nicholas Galitzine does it with those heavy-lidded eyes.
Why Anne Hathaway Was the Perfect Choice
Anne Hathaway didn't just star in this; she produced it. You can feel her fingerprints on the character's agency. In the original novel by Robinne Lee, Solène is a bit more standoffish, a bit colder. The movie version is warmer. She’s a "boss babe" who is still incredibly vulnerable.
There’s this one scene where she’s reading the comments on social media after their relationship goes public. It’s brutal. The misogyny directed her way is thick and ugly. Hathaway, who lived through the "Hathahate" era of the early 2010s, plays these moments with a quiet, knowing pain that feels incredibly authentic. She knows exactly what it's like to have the internet decide you’re "annoying" or "too much" for just existing.
- Director: Michael Showalter (who did The Big Sick)
- Release Date: May 2, 2024 (Prime Video)
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: A solid 81% from critics
The chemistry is palpable. Unlike some rom-coms where the leads feel like they’re being forced to stand near each other at a company retreat, Hathaway and Galitzine actually spark.
The Big Book-to-Movie Changes
If you read the book, you probably remember the ending being a total gut punch. In the novel, they don’t get together. Solène leaves him because the pressure is too much for her daughter, and he just keeps texting her for months while she ignores him. It’s realistic, sure, but it’s a massive bummer.
The movie takes a different route. It gives us a five-year time jump. Izzy is off at college. Hayes has left the band. He shows up at the gallery, they lock eyes, and you know they’re going to give it a real shot. Some purists hate this "happy ending," but honestly? In a world this chaotic, watching Anne Hathaway find happiness with a hot British pop star is the escapism we deserve.
Another major change was the daughter's age. In the book, Izzy is 12 and obsessed with August Moon. In the movie, she’s 16 and thinks they’re "so seventh grade." This change was smart. It allowed Izzy and Solène to have actual conversations like adults. Ella Rubin, who plays Izzy, is fantastic as a supportive but rightfully concerned teenager.
The Music of August Moon
Let’s talk about the songs. They didn’t have to go this hard.
The producers hired Savan Kotecha—the guy who actually wrote hits for One Direction and Ariana Grande—to write the August Moon discography. Songs like "Dance Before We Walk" and "Taste" are legit earworms. Galitzine actually sings them himself, and while he’s more of a "soulful crooner" than a "boy band dancer," he carries it off well enough to make the Coachella scenes believable.
Addressing the Harry Styles Rumors
Everyone asks if this is based on Harry Styles. Author Robinne Lee has said Hayes Campbell was inspired by a mix of Harry Styles, Prince Harry, and even some of her own exes.
But the movie distances itself from that a bit. Hayes is his own person—more soulful, perhaps a bit more weary of the fame machine than the public-facing version of Styles. The film focuses less on the "fan-girl" aspect and more on the "double standards for women" aspect. Why is it okay for a 40-year-old man to date a 20-year-old, but a scandal when the roles are reversed?
Actionable Takeaways for Your Watch Party
If you haven't seen it yet, or you're planning a rewatch, keep these things in mind to get the most out of the experience:
- Watch the Background Art: Production designer Amy Williams worked with real artists to source the pieces in Solène’s gallery. It’s not just random props; it’s a reflection of her character's taste.
- Listen for the Lyrics: The August Moon songs actually track the progression of the romance. "Closer" and "I Got You" hit differently once you know the plot.
- Notice the Wardrobe: Solène’s outfits transition from "professional gallery owner" to "relaxed and youthful" as she spends more time with Hayes, then back to a more guarded aesthetic when the paparazzi hit.
- Check the Deluxe Soundtrack: There are live versions of the songs that actually sound like they were recorded in a stadium, which adds to the immersion.
The Idea of You isn't just a movie about a celebrity crush. It’s a film about a woman reclaiming her right to be desired and happy after a messy divorce. It might strain logic at times, and the ending might be a little too neat for some, but Anne Hathaway’s performance makes every second of it feel earned.