The Idea of You (2024)

I went into The Idea of You with a mix of curiosity and hesitation. The book by Robinne Lee had already stirred plenty of conversation with its premise: a 40-year-old divorced mom unexpectedly falls into a romance with the 24-year-old lead singer of a world-famous boy band. On the page, the novel balanced fantasy and realism so well that it felt both escapist and grounded. (If you missed my review of the book, check it out here.) Adapting that into a movie was always going to be tricky. Would it lean into the glossy, almost fairy tale romance, or would it hold on to the messy, complicated truths the book did so well?

The film does a little of both. On the surface, it is undeniably glamorous. The settings are lush, the music performances are slick, and there is a level of wish-fulfillment baked into the very premise. Watching Anne Hathaway step into the role of Solène, the older woman at the center of this story, immediately elevates the material. She brings a mix of warmth, vulnerability, and sophistication that makes the character feel fully lived-in rather than a stereotype. Nicholas Galitzine, as Hayes, captures the boy band star’s magnetic charm while also giving him emotional depth. Their chemistry is what makes the film work. Without it, the story could have easily tipped into something shallow or unbelievable.

What struck me most about the adaptation is how it tried to capture the push and pull between fantasy and reality. On one hand, it is the ultimate escapist romance. Who has not daydreamed, even just once, about an impossible love affair that changes everything? On the other hand, the film does not entirely shy away from the complications. The age difference is not ignored. Solène’s role as a mother is not brushed aside. There is a constant tension between what she wants for herself and what she thinks is best for her daughter. This echoes the novel’s exploration of how women in their forties are often made to feel invisible, and how reclaiming joy and passion can come with judgment from others.

That said, the film makes different choices than the book, especially in how it handles the ending. Readers of the novel will know that it leans heavily into realism in a way that leaves you both satisfied and gutted at the same time. The movie takes a softer approach. Without giving anything away, it seems designed to appeal to a wider audience that might prefer a more hopeful conclusion. While this makes the film feel a little less daring than the book, it also makes it more accessible. Whether that is a strength or a weakness depends on what you loved most about the novel.

From a pacing perspective, the movie moves quickly and keeps you engaged. The concert scenes are a highlight, not just for their energy but for how they show Hayes in his element, which deepens our understanding of him. At the same time, some of the quieter, more intimate moments between Solène and Hayes are where the film really shines. These scenes are tender, charged, and layered with unspoken conflict, and they remind you that this is not just about attraction but about two people trying to figure out if they can build something real in the face of enormous obstacles.

What I appreciated most is that the film respects its audience. It does not pretend that Solène’s choices are easy or that the relationship is free of consequences. Even when the story veers more romantic than the novel, it still acknowledges the scrutiny, the public opinion, and the personal sacrifices involved. That honesty, paired with the sparkling romance, is what keeps the film from feeling like a one-dimensional fantasy.

For me, The Idea of You succeeds because it captures the heart of what made the book so compelling while adapting it in a way that works for film. It is not a perfect one-to-one translation, nor should it be. Movies and books are different mediums, and the choices made here lean more romantic and cinematic. Some viewers will miss the raw edges of the novel, but others will find themselves swept up in a love story that feels both indulgent and emotionally honest.

If you loved the book, the movie is worth watching with an open mind. If you have not read the book, you will still find a story that is engaging, glamorous, and surprisingly thoughtful. Either way, it is the kind of film that invites conversation afterward. What do we expect from love stories at different stages of life? Why are women often judged more harshly for chasing happiness? And what does it mean to balance personal desire with responsibility to others?

Ultimately, The Idea of You is more than just a romance. It is a story about agency, about being seen, and about the messy, beautiful complexities of love when the world wants to tell you what you can and cannot have.