Can a 40-year-old be swept off her feet by a 24-year-old international pop-music superstar?
Yes! And in a believable way, thanks to The Idea of You.
If you’re skeptical and maybe even disgusted by this premise, fear not; so is our lead, Solène. She has recently divorced her ex-husband and is just trying to live a healthy life, running her own art gallery and setting a good example for her 16-year-old daughter.
The problem is that a chance encounter has Hayes terribly interested in Solène—and vice versa. So begins a chain of daydream-like events.
It’s engaging and fun! And sad and frustrating . . . and this is partly why the movie shines. The writing recognizes that in real life love can be work; that prioritizing oneself can sometimes mean de-prioritizing others; that different genders encounter different standards.
Though it’s a high-quality production all around (casting, locations, production design, and the rest of it), what stands out even above the smooth pacing and subtle direction is the chemistry from our leads. So natural.
The Idea of You offers a lot, so open your mind to it.