The Idea of You

Synopsis:  Just-turned-40 single woman meets a 20-something boy bander who wants to date her. (Streaming on Prime Video)

Is a forty-year-old woman dateable? Yes! In The Idea of You a forty-year-old woman in LA has men her own age buzzing around and a tantalizing younger man striving to win her over.

Picture dating pools. Literally picture pools full of adults. In the 20-something straight  pool you’ll find roughly equal amounts of men and women dating each other. The 30-something pool finds more women. Why? Because the men are reluctant to leave the 20-something pool.

In fact, data from the dating site OkCupid reports that men want to date women in their twenties, regardless of their own age. Meanwhile, women report being attracted to men around their own age. But The Idea of You shows us a different story…

Solène is an art gallery owner and divorced mom of a sixteen-year-old girl, Izzy (Ella Rubin). Her life seems full without a romantic partner, though she may be open to dating after a few years as a single.

Her friend (performing the trope of the woman more interested in her friend’s life than her own) throws her a fortieth birthday party. Weirdly, the woman seems to have invited a cache of 40-something men who are virtual strangers to the birthday girl.

Solène engages the eager men in getting-to-know-you small talk. She’s cordial, but they’re undateable: one hung up on an ex-wife, one has a dull hobby, etc. All uncool. Ah, that brings me to an important point…

Solène is embodied by Anne Hathaway, who goes beyond Rich LA Mom looks into movie star-looking territory. (I was reminded of the equally glamorous Nicole Kidman in Big Little Lies.) It takes time and money to look this good: a stylist, hairstylist on call, regular trips to the medi spa, blasts of teeth whiteners at the dentist, one to two hour daily workouts and adherence to a calorie-counting app. But, no, we don’t see any of this beauty labor. She’s just coasting on natural good looks and the ability to throw together perfect ‘fits with the trendiest luxe accessories. (I really wanted her oversized ebony sunnies.)

Did I mention that her ex spoils their daughter? He might feel guilty that he left her mom for a younger woman. And what rich guy in LA isn’t splashy? He’s bought VIP tix to Coachella for Izzy and a couple of her teen friends. He was supposed to take her, but he bails because of work. Solène to the rescue.

Sadly, the bands at “Coachella” are fake bands. So, don’t expect to see boygenius. In fact, no one is in Indio, California. The producers had the movie shot in Georgia. Afterall, palm trees can be added in post-production. Still, let’s play along…

Solène’s daughter and friends giddily head out to the stages, while Solène chills in a hospitality trailer with a Sally Rooney book. Another mom of a teen strikes up a convo and asks who is her fave member of the boy band August Moon? The mom is clearly a fangirl. Solène demurs, explaining that she’s only there for her daughter. Even though daughter has, unbeknownst to dad, outgrown the group.

Nature calls and Soléne heads out to look for the restrooms. Looking, I must add, effortlessly bohemian with a slouchy over-sized, over-priced hat on her head. Now, someone in LA who has money and works in Silver Lake is going to quickly suss out the diff between a restroom trailer and a star’s trailer. But not our heroine. She casually wanders through an empty lounge in a trailer, thinking the personal bathroom is the public loo. And who does she run into?

The very hot boy bander Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine) of August Moon appears before our eyes. He’s flustered and blushy to see a pretty woman in his trailer. Like this guy has never seen a woman– with thousands of women and men lusting for him and scores of media appearances behind him. He does a bit of cute Brit stammering – Do I like older women? 

Solène is completely unfazed. She says she’s here with her teen and hey, nice to meet you. He recovers with some flirting – I like this MILF.  ‘Bye, she says, and swans away. We knew she’d be cool. And, of course, because this is the plot: he wants her.

Because Izzy has VIP passes, she also gets to do a meet & greet with August Moon where the five guys sign autographs and receive the Moonhead fans’ praise. Solène and Hayes banter. At their set that night, the young men do lots of leaping and cavorting. Hayes dedicates a song to someone special he just met. Solène grins.

Guess who shows up at her art gallery later that week?  Guess whose daughter is conveniently away all summer being a camp counselor?

The more clandestine meet ups at the group’s tour dates, the wider Solène’s smile gets and the puffier Hayes’ lips get. It must be all the kissing.

Paparazzi outing the couple seems likelier every day. And the impracticalities for the future are lining up. But when Hayes and Solène are in Paris, cuddling at a brasserie with glasses of wine, I was under a spell myself: Keep sleeping with him, Solène! Let the gallery run itself!

But there is the potential for their affair to unravel. On a day off, the two lovers lounge with the boy banders and their girlfriends-of-the-moment.  Even though Solène is so pretty with a great body, she feels a little insecure around these women who are just a few years out of high school. Instead of wearing a two-piece she opts for a one-piece suit, covered by a denim caftan. Come on, not even the country club moms would be that conservative. Ultimately, we viewers can see that the age gap doesn’t make a difference in terms of attractiveness. They’re both gorgeous.

More of a risk to their relationships are their different lifestyles. Hayes has the demands that come with being in a boy band since he was a teen. And Solène needs to keep LA as her base.

Thankfully, even if their affair flames out, we will still have the super cut of them loved up in Paris, Rome and New York. Well, Georgia is a dressed-up stand-in. Except for some sidewalk shots in LA. (Dear Producers, how is cheaper to fly talent to Georgia, than staying in LA for a shoot?)

The Idea of You‘s biggest win is with casting Anne H & Nick G. The former has an Oscar for crying her eyes out whilst singing in Les Miserables. And the latter is the 2020’s go to guy for romances, gay and straight (Cinderella and Red, White and Royal Blue.) Most importantly, they have chemistry, age gap or not.

So, yes, there’s no reason for 40-year-old women to not take a dip in the 20 something dating pool. Especially if you look like Anne Hathaway.

Movie Loon’s Movie Review Shortcut:

Grade:   B

Humor Highlight:  Solène’s ex gets owned when he sees who his wife is dating; her new man rebuffs his attempts to call him bro.

Cut to the Chase:  Not a classic-to-be, but enjoyable.