Director: Michael Showalter
Writers: Michael Showalter, Jennifer Westfeldt
Cast: Anne Hathaway, Nicholas Galitzine
Available on: Amazon Prime Video
It’s ironic — or fitting, depending on your experience — that for a romance that’s rated ‘R’, the most erotic moment in The Idea of You comes not in a sex scene but the first time Hayes (Nicholas Galitzine) kisses Solène. “I could be your mother,” says the 40-year-old mother of a teenage daughter, after breaking away from a kiss that’s as scorching as it is sweet. “But you’re not,” replies Hayes and fits his mouth on hers, again. Happy May Day, everyone.
Based on the bestselling book by the same name by Robinne Lee, The Idea of You takes the taboo-edged trope of the May-December romance and turns it on its head by making the woman the older one in the relationship and presenting the romance as scandalous but heartwarming. Director Todd Haynes looked at this topic recently in May December, but it was framed as an exploration of abuse with Julianne Moore playing a woman who groomed a teenage boy to become her lover. The Idea of You, filmed in sun-kissed warmth and popping with bright colours and an upbeat soundtrack, is a simpler and fluffier film. However, its intent is arguably bolder than what Haynes lays out with his excellent film.