An odd trope but I definitely recommend -- Ally

The book “The Idea of You” by Robinne Lee is a 373-page love story. And I read the book so you don’t have to (I also read it in four days, if that says anything about how this review is going to go). 

If you want an unserious book that pulls you out of reality to romanticize an unlikely yet captivating love story, this book is for you. It is a light-hearted whirlwind of a romance that felt like a homage to my One Direction phase in middle school. 

First and foremost, if you want to enjoy the book or movie, you can’t take it too seriously. 

Lee wasted no time diving into the witty and charming romance between Los Angeles-based art gallery owner Solène and international pop star Hayes Campbell. The first chapter was a mixed bag. I felt touched by the sweet relationship between Solene and Hayes, yet it was as corny as could be. I spent the whole book cringing from their banter, yet I still found myself wanting to know more about their relationship.

The book was written from Solène’s point of view, but I wish I got to see more of Haye’s character development from his point of view. He is a complex character that I feel like a lot of people relate to. The title of the book came from Hayes’ struggle with people having a preconceived idea of him, and I wish we could see his personality and relationship  growth from his point of view. 

The age-gap trope is definitely not my favorite. A 40-year-old artist and a 24-year-old singer is a tough sell, but for what it is, “The Idea of You” was a fun and entertaining read.

For One Direction fans out there, the book was giving the song “No Control” while the movie was giving “Perfect.”

The movie changed a lot from the book, but I felt that it made the necessary changes to make the movie make sense.  

The romcom stays true to the book’s overall message of how the media can damage a relationship and provides the same relationship energy. It weaved in elements of the book without ruining its pace (the watch iykyk). 

I have never watched a movie in which the actors played the characters so closely to how they were written in the book. Nicholas Galitzine portrayed Hayes’ humor and sincerity flawlessly, and I couldn’t get enough of Anne Hathaway’s perfect rendition of a stoic character like Solène. 

The movie added a realistic layer to the story by alluding to the romance of Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde, and how their 10-year age gap caught the attention of social media. The film did a terrific job juxtaposing Hayes and Solene’s budding relationship with the harsh reality of the media.  

However you felt about the ending to the book, I recommend giving the movie a shot.  

Even if you aren't the biggest One Direction fan, the movie had elements that I think everyone could enjoy. “The Idea of You” hits theaters May 2. 

A sappy romance that's a blast -- Jazlyn

Harry Styles, I apologize for how much I enjoyed this movie. I cannot lie, I was grinning ear to ear the whole time.

“The Idea of You” is a film that knows its target audience: girls who are still clinging to One Direction nostalgia like it's a priceless artifact. I can say this because I’m one of them.

“The Idea of You” is a fast-paced movie that doesn't make audiences wait for what they want. They wanted the sappy romance, they got the sappy romance. It was a blast.

This movie is obviously inspired by Harry Styles during his One Direction days, and that was my favorite element of the film. It doesn't take itself too seriously. It does a good job of balancing sincerity and humor. 

The Coachella scene where Hayes Cambell (our Harry in this film) serenades Anne Hathaway's Soléne  feels totally ironic. Because you are so acutely aware of the fact that the film is recreating a real life band we have all fantasized about. Yet still there were moments in this movie where I was genuinely rooting for the couple. The chemistry between Hayes and Solene is palpable and drives the light-hearted, fun narrative of the film. 

You never question the attraction between the two  despite the unlikely  nature of the relationship. Outside of the main love story of the film, all the exterior relationships felt heartfelt.

The mother-daughter duo (Solène and Izzy) was refreshing. Both of them had a mature understanding of each other and respected their needs. Soléne’s entire identity as a mother is vital to the film, and I appreciate how motherhood is never held against Solene, but rather embraced. The idea that she is a 40-year-old single mother searching for love isn’t demeaning. 

I can't wait for everyone's reactions to watching this film. I went into this movie with few expectations, and I think that's what helped me appreciate it. “The Idea of You” was fun, and that's the real attraction of it. I tend to hear this complaint that modern rom-coms don't feel like they used to in the early 2000s. But with new films like this one and even the new “Mean Girls” musical adaptation, I'm noticing a trend of people appreciating more fun, low-stakes movies. 

So, is “The Idea of You” the newest film that makes you ponder its meaning and plot? No, but it’s a heck of a good time. I think this movie is best watched with a group of friends, preferably Directioners, and the most amount of ice cream and candy you can stomach. You can watch “The Idea of You” when it premieres May 2 on Amazon Prime, and be prepared for a new August Moon obsession (iykyk).