While there may be other films featuring different generations in love this year, do you happen to know the age difference between the characters in The Idea of You?
In 2024, the romantic comedy genre is experiencing a resurgence, with The Idea of You on Prime Video leading the charge by introducing a unique aspect – an age gap between the couple in love.
In our four-star review, we stated that while it may not be groundbreaking, The Idea of You has undoubtedly made a lasting impact on the rom-com genre. This film provokes thoughts, evokes love and laughter, and brings tears to your eyes, but above all, it guarantees a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Despite the focus on Coachella and manufactured boybands, there has been significant discussion about the ages of the main characters in The Idea of You. What is the extent of the age difference between them?
The Age Gap in The Idea of You
The Idea of You features a 16-year age difference between Solène (Anne Hathaway), aged 40, and Hayes (Nicholas Galitzine), aged 24.
The couple first encounters each other when Hayes’ boyband, August Moon, headlines at Coachella. Solène, having been left by her ex-husband to take their daughter to the pre-show meet and greet, reluctantly attends. However, her daughter quickly leaves with her friends, leaving Solène to wander alone at the festival. While searching for the bathrooms, she stumbles upon Hayes’ trailer and their magical connection begins.
The film adaptation of the Robinne Lee novel, titled the same, has altered the age gap by a small margin. In the book, Solène is 39 while Hayes is 20, but in the movie, their ages have been adjusted. No explanation has been provided for this modification.
Age Difference Between Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine
In actuality, there is a 12-year age difference between Anne Hathaway, who is currently 41 years old, and Nicholas Galitzine, who is 29 years old.
Hathaway’s repertoire already includes a variety of timeless films and romantic comedies such as The Devil Wears Prada, The Princess Diaries, The Intern, One Day, and Love & Other Drugs.
In addition, this year Nicholas Galitzine has also been featured in Mary & George, alongside Bottoms, Red, White & Royal Blue, Purple Hearts, and the 2021 live-action remake of Cinderella.
Why Has There Been Controversy?
On the Today Show, Anne Hathaway expressed her thoughts: “It’s refreshing to be a part of a film that openly discusses age and doesn’t shy away from it. We fully embrace the character’s perspective on the matter. Whether 40 is considered old or not, it’s a personal matter and that’s perfectly fine.”
Solène’s perspective is shaped by her experience of becoming a young mother and her strong desire to pursue a career. As a result, she does not entirely relate to her age and feels that she may have taken an unconventional path in life. Turning 40 signifies a period of self-discovery for her, as she navigates through this stage of her life. In the movie, she finds solace in the fact that she has someone who supports, understands, embraces, and values her. This is a beautiful message that the movie conveys.
According to Galitzine, as reported by First Post, the age difference in the film is typically portrayed with the man being older. However, he believes that it is refreshing to see it portrayed differently and sees it as a reflection of society’s changing views on love and relationships. He emphasizes that chemistry between individuals can overcome age differences and that people from different stages in life can still share commonalities and a strong connection.
Discover an abundance of incredible movies, TV shows, and true crime documentaries available for streaming this month. And if that’s not sufficient, learn about the exciting K-drama releases coming this year.
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