Recently, my Literary Theory class discussed the possibility of considering fanfiction as a literary genre. Interestingly, this device has been serving as the basis for many cinematic productions, the latest being “The Idea of You,” a romantic comedy available on Prime Video. Starring the charismatic Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine, there are several points to be made about how fragile the discussion presented in the film is.
I can read the story from two complementary perspectives. In the first, we follow the story of a couple formed by an anonymous person and a famous one, who must deal with the challenges of such a relationship. Simultaneously, I see the narrative of an older woman involved with a younger man, having to deal with all the sexist implications surrounding their relationship. The script takes these parallel constructions to solidify its narrative, which works but still mixes the sentimental with something overdone.
What bothers me most about “The Idea of You” are the easy choices, the fear of daring, and the predictable encounters. Every scene seems to have been seen in various forms in cinema, and with greater sensitivity, making it inevitable to compare it to our favorite comfort movies like “Notting Hill,” “Music and Lyrics,” and others. However, it lacks the depth and originality that could place it in the same pantheon as the mentioned works.
And Galitzine and Hathaway do work as a couple. They each have overflowing charisma and palpable chemistry, but what could be memorable in the film seems not to fit beyond that. The band is irrelevant, the songs, too. And what could foster discussions, like the disapproving looks the producer gives Solene, the look of despair from Daniel’s current wife (Reid Scott), and Izzy’s (Ella Rubin) maturity in facing the situation, gets lost in the incessant pursuit of projecting the protagonists’ romance, as if love could overcome any barrier. Which becomes relatively easy when these barriers are small and superficial.
LACK OF PASSION
In this respect, the script fails by not expanding on the discussions about structural sexism and patriarchy that so intersect and enrich the layers of Solene and Hayes. In parallel, it lightly advances the debate on the consequences of media on the lives of public figures and how it affects their personal relationships. The plot is effective in showing virtual hate through the cruel and unpleasant comments that arise when something displeases fans and how this still reverberates in the real world, presenting the short- and long-term impacts on the lives of those affected.
Despite this construction, it’s worth noting that director Michael Showalter (“The Big Sick”) aims to create a sophisticated atmosphere felt through naturalistic staging, which makes Galitzine somewhat theatrical at times, and the details emphasized by Jim Frohna’s (“Big Little Lies”) cinematography, especially in intimate scenes. The photographer uses close-ups and detailed shots amid a mix of warm and cool colors to bring the audience closer to the sensations evoked by the scene. As interesting as it is, however, it fails to move and engage the audience with the couple.
All this shows that as functional and pleasant as “The Idea of You” tries to be, it lacks its own charm that could at least establish it as a comfort movie. What remains is to accept the strong chemistry between Galitzine and Hathaway.
