The Idea of You is a 2024 American romantic comedy drama film directed by Michael Showalter from a screenplay he co-wrote with Jennifer Westfeldt, based on the novel of the same name by Robinne Lee.

Starring Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine, it chronicles the love affair between a single mother and the lead singer of a popular boy band.

Five years later, with Izzy now living in Chicago, Solène sees Hayes performing on The Graham Norton Show, where he mentions plans to visit Los Angeles.

In December 2018, it was announced that an adaptation of the Robinne Lee novel The Idea of You had been opted by Welle Entertainment with Cathy Schulman and Gabrielle Union producing.

[6][7] The following month, Nicholas Galitzine was added to the cast as the lead singer of "the hottest boyband on the planet",[8][9] and in October, Ella Rubin was revealed to be playing Hathaway's daughter and that principal photography had commenced.

[10][11] The same month, Annie Mumolo, Reid Scott, Perry Mattfeld and Jordan Aaron Hall were revealed to have joined the cast as well as Jaiden Anthony, Raymond Cham, Vik White and Dakota Adan as the rest of the band Galitzine fronts.

[17] The film features original songs performed by the fictional band August Moon, which were written by Savan Kotecha, who also served as the executive music producer.

The website's consensus reads: "The Idea of You offers a welcome reminder that Anne Hathaway remains a thoroughly delightful romcom lead—and reaffirms that few filmmakers understand the genre better than Michael Showalter.

[33] Benjamin Lee of The Guardian wrote, "Showalter manages to make The Idea of You look and breathe like the grander films it comes after rather than the tinier ones it sits alongside [...] It's all not ultimately enough to truly transport us back to the genre's heyday but it's a damn sight better than what we've been forced to get used to.

"[34] Peter Debruge of Variety wrote "The film version finds a solution that honors [Robinne] Lee's intentions while providing a more satisfying sense of closure for their on-and-off relationship".

[36] Alison Wilmore of Vulture wrote, "The Idea of You could stand to be a little more indulgent — it allows the real world to rush into its unexpected relationship almost before it gets going — but it's surprisingly seductive even with its restraint.

"[37] Lovia Gyarkaye of The Hollywood Reporter wrote, "The Idea of You functions best as a carefree treat — a feel-good romantic comedy that delivers some laughs and bursts with the magnetism of its lead.

"[38] Rafael Motamayor of IndieWire wrote that the film "does a complete love story, going beyond where most movies like these end to explore the moment a magical fling becomes something more, where a little 'let's see where this goes' becomes something worth fighting for, and maybe also losing.

It may force a neat ending, it may strain logic, it may leave some intriguing avenues unexplored, but The Idea of You is otherwise transporting, a fairy tale worthy of a big screen.

"[40] Valerie Complex of Deadline Hollywood wrote that "Hathaway's performance offers moments of genuine emotion and connection that hint at the film's potential, which keeps things together long enough to be enjoyable.