One of the most riveting works of art to grace the big screens lately is the motion picture “The Idea of You.” It’s the perfect watch for romance movie enthusiasts, not just because the cast features Anne Hathaway and the oh-so-dashing Nicolas Galitzine, even though it’s the best way to start yapping on about it.
Galitzine and Hathaway are the main love interests in the movie, and their meet-cute is a thing of romance books. The plot starts with Solene (Anne Hathaway) obliged to take her teenage daughter to Coachella for a featured performance by August Moon, a band that Hayes (Nicolas Galitzine) just happened to play in. Solene and Henry meet shortly before the concert and atrociously flirt, then he later performs a song in Solene’s honor at the concert – a pleasure known only to them.
At the precipice of her 40th birthday, Solene’s daughter goes off to summer camp, and she has another encounter with Hayes at her art gallery, where the sparks between them begin to fly, from him buying every piece in her collection, being chased by the paparazzi, and exploring exclusive art side by side.
One of the main themes the film explores is the age gap between the main love interests. Some of the ways it’s portrayed come through their banter, their different musical tastes, the distinction between their comfort preferences, and how their barely unconventional relationship could be perceived by others, which in Henry’s case was amplified by the multitude that wanted to monitor his every move.
While televised age-difference relationships normally portray the image of an inconsiderate mother chasing fleeting happiness over her maternal responsibilities, the idea of you portrays Solene’s character as someone who has exceptionally accomplished everything else but the pursuit of her own happiness, and Hayes seamlessly fills that gap for a short time.
The Europe tour they went on together was symbolic of how much space for fun there can be in loving relationships, regardless of how different it might be from the norm. The intimate PDA moments they shared and how she cheered him on the sidelines of concerts was the undeniable portrayal that women can have it all, regardless of age. However, when their secret relationship is leaked, and everything goes up in flames, it is abundantly clear not everyone shares that view.
Henry’s fame weighed into the relationship much more than their age difference, and with everything coming to light, it was undeniable that everyone had a problem with someone as old as her being with someone as antiquatedly stunning as Hayes.
The people in her world came against her for being with someone as young, famous, and successful as Hayes, and whether it was the comment section at the end of scathing articles of the mean moms from her daughter’s school that ridiculed and critiqued her relationship despite it being none of their concern, it was clear how displeased with it society had been.
What was unfathomable about the ridicule she received from the community was how focused it was on Solene’s age and not much else because to stage an uproar over how someone as beautiful as Anne Hathaway could be with the likes of a younger handsome man and call it unacceptable or impossible was ridiculous. It highlighted the double standards with which men and women are perceived.
A real-life comparison of how bi-generational relationships are a no-brainer is how actress Leonardo DiCaprio gets off scot-free in the court of public opinion over dating girls in their 20s, but the same courtesy couldn’t be extended to a fictional Solene because she just had to be a cougar for Hayes to want to be with her, and the double standards are quite frankly ridiculous.
After having to break off their splendid relationship to protect the sanctity of Solene’s family, the two inevitably reconnect years later, free of the watchful public eye that led to their earlier demise. It’s one of those endings that leave room for interpretation, but luckily, my imagination knows no bounds.
