Movie Review: “The Idea of ​​You,” Inspired by Fanfiction, Blends Comedy and Drama

If you’ve heard about Michael Showalter’s new cinematic romance The idea of ​​you, then you’ve probably seen the name “Harry Styles” and the phrase “fanfic movie” next to it. Author Robinne Lee, of the original 2017 novel the film is based on, reportedly said she regrets revealing that Styles was the muse of her male lead character, Hayes Campbell.

It’s quite funny. Even if she hadn’t said anything at all, anyone familiar with the popstar and her former band One Direction would still see parallels between Hayes and her fictional band August Moon. The film’s female star, Anne Hathaway, touted this film on the press circuit as Kevin Rodney Sullivan’s. How Stella found her rhythm again (1998) but with white characters. Which is smart of him, because there are still older moviegoers who are completely unfamiliar with fan fiction and One Direction.

Hathaway plays Solène Marchand, a single, divorced mother who also owns an art gallery in Los Angeles. When she accompanies her daughter, Izzy (Ella Rubin), and her friends to meet and greet Izzy’s favorite boy band, August Moon, Solène accidentally runs into frontman Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine).

Sparks surprisingly fly despite the 16 year age difference. Solène is soon surprised to find Hayes visiting her gallery to buy art as an excuse to see her again, which then leads to a discreet rendezvous. Before long, Solène finds herself flying to New York to play groupie on the European leg of the band’s tour while Izzy is away at summer camp.

Annie Mumolo plays Solène’s best friend, while Reid Scott plays Solene’s ex-husband and Izzy’s father. Aside from the obvious connection to Styles fan fiction, there’s really not much else to say about The idea of ​​you. Those who regularly read or write fanfiction will instantly recognize all of the typical tropes presented on screen. Even those unfamiliar with them will still notice them, because all of these tropes are derived from clichés in romantic comedies and melodramas. It’s essentially that of Richard Curtis Notting Hill (1999) with a popstar instead of a movie star.

Hathaway does her best with the material and co-writer Jennifer Westfeldt puts an interesting spin on the story. But Galitzine seems very mature for his age and doesn’t really fit the much younger love interest he’s supposed to be. I think what we especially need to recognize is that The idea of ​​you has as much drama as comedy.

If you’re expecting fun “romcom vibes”, you’ll be disappointed with the serious tone the second hour decides to take. I’m a fan of Hathaway, I’ve enjoyed some of Showalter and Westfeldt’s past efforts, and I like pop music and romantic dramas. But even with all that, I’ll probably still forget The idea of ​​you by next week.