Movie Review: In ‘The Idea of You,’ a boy band is center stage but Anne Hathaway steals the show | Hollywood

There are a couple of hundred issues about this premise that may be farfetched, together with the chances of discovering love anyplace close to the porta johns of a music competition. However considered one of them just isn’t {that a} younger star like Hayes Campbell would fall for a single mother like Solène .

Solène is fashionable, unimpressed by Hayes’ superstar and has bangs so excellent they give the impression of being genetically modified. And, most significantly, she’s Anne Hathaway. Within the energy dynamics of “The Thought of You,” Hayes could also be a fictional pop star however Hathaway is a really actual film star. And you do not neglect it for a second in Michael Showalter’s flippantly interesting showcase of the actor at her resplendent finest.

“The Thought of You,” which debuts Thursday on Prime Video, is filled with all of the sorts of contradictions that may make a rom-com work. The extremely glamorous, megawatt-smiling Hathaway is taking part in a down-to-earth no person. The showbiz veteran within the film is performed by Galitzine, a much less well-known however up-and-coming British actor whose efficiency within the film is kind of genuine. And although the entire situation is undeniably a shiny high-concept Hollywood fairy story, Showalter provides it sufficient texture that “The Thought of You” comes off extra pure and honest than you’d anticipate.

The one factor that actually must make excellent sense in a film like “The Thought of You” is the chemistry. The movie, penned by Showalter and Jennifer Westfeldt from Robinne Lee’s bestseller, takes its time within the early scenes between Solène and Hayes — first at Coachella, then when he stops by her gallery — permitting their rapport to construct convincingly, and giving every actor loads of time to smolder.

As soon as the steamy hotel-room encounters are available in “The Thought of You,” the film has, if not swept you away, then not less than ushered you alongside on a European journey of intercourse and room service. On the identical time, it stays trustworthy to its central mission of celebrating middle-aged womanhood. The connection will finally trigger a social media firestorm, however its important stress level is whether or not Solène can follow Hayes after her ex-husband cheated on her. It is a fairy story she deserves.

Whereas Showalter has lengthy confirmed a terrific reward for juggling comedy and drama without delay, “The Thought of You” leans extra totally into wish-fulfillment romance. That may go away much less to maintain the movie, which has notably neutered a few of the issues that distinguished the ebook.

The Could-December romance has been shrunk a bit of. Within the ebook, the singer is 20. Provided that Galitzine is 29 and the 41-year-old Hathaway is nobody’s thought of outdated, that is extra like a July-September relationship. Within the ebook, the daughter is a big admirer of the pop singer, including to the awkwardness, however within the film, August Moon is “so seventh grade” to her.

There are certainly extra fascinating and funnier locations “The Thought of You” may have gone. However Hathaway and Galitzine are a ok match that, for a pair hours, it is simple to neglect.

However essentially the most convincing factor about “The Thought of You”? August Moon. The film nails the look and sound of boy bands so effectively as a result of it went straight to the supply. The unique songs within the movie are by Savan Kotecha and Carl Falk, the producer-songwriters of, amongst different pop hits, “What Makes You Lovely,” One Course’s debut single.

That connection will in all probability solely additional the sense that “The Thought of You” may be very practically “The Thought of Harry Kinds.” The filmmakers have distanced the film from any real-life resemblances. However one factor is for certain: With August Moon following 4Town of “Turning Purple” , we live within the golden age of the fictional boy band.

“The Thought of You,” an Amazon MGM Studios launch, is rated R by the Movement Image Affiliation for some language and sexual content material. Operating time: 115 minutes. Two and a half stars out of 4.

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