“The Idea of You” is actually an adaptation of Robine Lee’s novel of the same name, which created a stir when it was published due to its inspired love story and possible famous characters. The novel was very talked about, especially in the USA, when it was released, and the real-life heroes of this story, which tells about the relationship between a 40-year-old single mother and a young pop star, occupied the magazine agenda.
In the interviews he gave at that time, writer Lee stated that the main hero he wanted to emphasize was the female character Soléne and that he aimed to reflect the feelings of women in middle age. In addition, although the singer stated that he wrote the character of Hayes by being inspired by the men he observed in his life, the curious press did not remain idle and of course did not refrain from identifying the character of Hayes with Harry Styles, one of the soloists of the boy band One Direction. Magazine enthusiasts can open it and look at Styles’ portfolio of lovers from 2011 to the present. Let’s get back to our movie.
We can say that Lee’s book, who stated that he was not involved in the adaptation phase even though he was the owner of the story, was turned into a Hollywood fairy tale by directors Michael Showalter and Jennifer Westfeldt. Especially the first part of the film puts certain formulas into scenario mathematics so well that it is not difficult to predict the emotional fluctuations that the audience will experience, step by step. We go up and down depending on the flow of the story; While we say “oh, now it will happen”, we relax with the intervening concert and music scenes. Sen İhtmali, which does not have many twists and turns in terms of a love story, fortunately does not neglect to sprinkle in social message concerns, even if in the form of crumbs.
As a cultured, self-sufficient single mother who has suspended relationships with the opposite sex after her ex-husband and has trust issues, Soléne, with all this baggage, runs away ashamed of the possibility of being with a young man. Moreover, the other person really likes him. Especially if this young man is an extremely famous and handsome member of a music band beloved by millions!
Unfortunately, Soléne’s hesitations against social nonsense such as ‘exemplary single motherhood’ and ‘being a proper female individual’ are quite justified, full-bodied and grounded arguments. No matter how competent a woman you are in business life or how devotedly you raise your child as a single mother, you need to pay attention to who the person you love or like is and not get carried away.
Because societies known for their conservative identities, whether it is America or another country, cannot tolerate the increasing age gap between women and the men they are with. This hypocrisy is very well woven around Solene, the lead character of Sen İhtmali. Moreover, Solene is made uneasy not only by herself, but also by the teenage bullying of her daughter Izzy, and as a result, we see once again how much a woman’s happiness sinks to everyone else. Unfortunately, these are not Hollywood exaggerations, they are very possible facts.
Those who don’t believe it can try it at home and see for themselves… At this point, I will leave here a quote from a ‘commentator’ that gave me goosebumps in a well-watched magazine program just a few days ago. It’s up to you: “If you’re famous, everything can be in the public eye and make the news, brother; You can’t say “this is my private business, don’t talk about it!”
In the movie You Possible, which visually leans on a warm and loving climate that extends from the bright LA views of America to the Southern French coast of Europe, the acting fills the story we tried to summarize above as much as possible. Anne Hathaway may not give an Oscar-worthy performance this time, but she convinces the audience well of Solene’s emotional state and fluctuations. She also held the electricity with Nicholas Galitzine, who starred opposite her with all his charm.
Especially the sensitive lovemaking scenes were shot with a courage that we are not used to seeing (or hearing?) in the rom-coms that have been sanitized in the last 15 years; It’s good. It brings realism to a single mother who is devoted to her work and her daughter. Dear screenwriters, single mothers also make love passionately, women continue to orgasm at the age of 40, for your information.
Despite all its courage, The Idea of You, which we have to admit has a bit of a stretch for the concert scenes, is available on Amazon Prime Video. You can give it a chance to have a good time with Anne Hathaway and get angry at conservative minds.
All about The Idea of You movie.
The Idea of You (2024)
Directed by: Michael Showalter
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Nicholas Galitzine, Ella Rubin, Annie Mumolo, Reid Scott, Perry Mattfeld, Jordan Aaron Hall, Mathilda Gianopoulos, Meg Millidge, Cheech Manohar, Raymond Cham
Screenplay by: Michael Showalter, Jennifer Westfeldt
Production Design by: Amy Williams
Cinematography by: Jim Frohna
Film Editing by: Peter Teschner
Costume Design by: Jacqueline Demeterio
Set Decoration by: Melisa Jusufi
Art Direction by: Kat Rich
Music by: Siddhartha Khosla
MPAA Rating: R for some language and sexual content.
Distributed by: Amazon Studios
Release Date: March 16, 2024 (SXSW), May 2, 2024 (United States)
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