The Idea of You

Available on Prime Video

If the idea of this saccharine adaptation of Robinne Lee’s novel is to offer an empowering alternative to the typical depiction of middle-aged women seen in contemporary media, then The Idea of You certainly cannot be accused of having bad intentions.

Nonetheless, it’s questionable how relatable the film’s target demographic will find Anne Hathaway’s near flawless single mother, who appears to be immune to both ageing and the Menopause and capable of effortlessly juggling her parental and professional duties, so much so that she can take her daughter to Coachella at the drop of a hat and embark on a summer-long affair with the frontman of a world-famous boy band. The fact that said affair begins on account of Hathaway’s character mistaking a trailer for a VIP toilet is neither here nor there, but alludes to the absence of logic that is prevalent throughout Michael Showalter and Jennifer Westfeldt’s screenplay.

Hathaway and co-star Nicholas Galitzine certainly bring their best efforts to this drab affair and will doubtlessly hold the attention of viewers with a soft spot for this sort of film, but their chemistry fails to elevate a picture that fails to achieve its mandate. Indeed, you’d be better off avoiding this and giving The Big Sick (one of Showalter’s other films) a watch instead.